US Seizes 2 Oil Tankers in Back-to-Back Actions

US forces took control of two oil tankers tied to Venezuela in separate operations in the North Atlantic and Caribbean on Wednesday, escalating Washington's pressure campaign on the country's sanctioned oil trade. In addition to the seizure of the Russian-flagged Bella 1, which the US had been pursuing for two weeks, between Scotland and Iceland, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said US forces also took control of the tanker Sophia in the Caribbean, reports the AP. More:

• The New York Times reports the US military described the Sophia as "a stateless, sanctioned dark fleet motor tanker" and said it was being escorted to the US. Noem said both vessels were "either last docked in Venezuela or en route to it" in a post on X.
• The UK confirmed it assisted the US in what Noem described as a pre-dawn mission to take the Bella 1. The BBC has this from UK Defense Secretary John Healey: "This action formed part of global efforts to crack down on sanctions busting. This ship, with a nefarious history, is part of a Russian-Iranian axis of sanctions evasion which is fueling terrorism, conflict, and misery from the Middle East to Ukraine. The UK will continue to step up our action against shadow fleet activity to protect our national security, our economy, and global stability."
• The BBC reports that in comments to reporters, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said phase two of the US strategy in Venezuela is "recovery," which will involve an unspecified "transition" and amnesty for opposition leaders. He shot down criticism that the US is "winging it," and said Venezuelans "understand the only way they can move oil and generate revenue, and not have economic collapse, is if they cooperate and work with the United States."
• When asked what cost US taxpayers would bear for US involvement in Venezuela, Rubio replied, "It's not going to cost us anything."