U.S. officials are considering intercepting and seizing a Russian-flagged oil tanker currently traveling across the Atlantic Ocean toward Europe, according to a report by CBS News, the BBC's media partner in the United States. Two unnamed U.S. officials told CBS News that American forces are planning the potential interception of the vessel, which has reportedly transported Venezuelan crude oil in the past and was believed to be located between Scotland and Iceland.

The potential action follows President Donald Trump's statement last month that he was ordering a "blockade" of sanctioned oil tankers either entering or leaving Venezuela. The Venezuelan government denounced the move as "theft." Trump has also repeatedly accused the Venezuelan government of using ships to transport drugs to the U.S.

Last month, the U.S. Coast Guard attempted to board the Bella 1 in the Caribbean Sea, suspecting it was en route to Venezuela. U.S. authorities had obtained a warrant to seize the ship, alleging violations of U.S. sanctions related to the shipment of Iranian oil. The Bella 1 then reportedly changed course and was renamed the Marinera, and reflagged.

The U.S. has imposed sanctions on Venezuela's oil industry in an effort to pressure the government of Nicolás Maduro. These sanctions prohibit U.S. companies and individuals from doing business with Venezuela's state-owned oil company, PDVSA. The U.S. government contends that these sanctions are aimed at preventing the Maduro regime from using oil revenues to maintain its grip on power.

The potential interception of the Russian-flagged tanker raises questions about the extent to which the U.S. is willing to enforce its sanctions regime on countries and entities that continue to trade with Venezuela. It also remains unclear what specific legal justification the U.S. would use to seize a Russian-flagged vessel in international waters. The situation remains fluid, and further developments are expected as the tanker continues its voyage.