The United States says it has seized a tanker linked to Venezuelan oil in the North Atlantic Ocean.

"The U.S. Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security today announced the seizure of M/V Bella 1 for violating U.S. sanctions," the U.S. European Command said in a statement.

"After the US Coast Guard ship USCGC Monroe monitored the vessel, the vessel was seized in the North Atlantic Ocean pursuant to a warrant issued by the US Federal Court," he said in a post on X.

Formerly known as Bella 1, the ship's name has been changed to 'Marinara' and it is also being said that the flag of Guyana has been removed and now registered as a Russian ship.

It was also reported that Russia had deployed a submarine and other ships to protect the oil tanker to cross the Atlantic while the US forces were chasing it.

The ship is currently between Iceland and the British Isles. It is alleged to have transported Iranian oil in violation of US sanctions.