Russia formally asked the United States to halt pursuit of Venezuelan oil tanker Marinera after the vessel escaped U.S. Coast Guard interception in the Caribbean.

The US may act to seize a Russian-flagged oil tanker heading across the Atlantic to Europe, CBS News, the BBC's media partner in the US, reported. Two US officials told the broadcaster that American forces plan to intercept the ship, which historically has carried Venezuelan crude oil and is thought to be between Scotland and Iceland.

THIS is the nail-biting moment a US ship stalks a rogue “Axis of Evil” tanker off Britain’s coasts as it desperately attempts to flee to Russia. Washington has deployed special

The move raises the stakes over the Trump administration’s attempt to seize the Bella 1, which officials say is part of fleet transporting illicit oil.

Russia requested this week that the United States end its pursuit of the vessel, which was intercepted in the Caribbean on its way to pick up oil in Venezuela.

Iran seized a foreign oil tanker as it traveled the strategic Strait of Hormuz carrying some 25,000 barrels of smuggled fuel, state media said.