India, Jan. 7 -- The United States has seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker, Marinera, in the North Sea after tracking the vessel for more than two weeks, despite reported efforts by Moscow to protect it with naval escorts.

The US military's European Command confirmed the operation in a post on X, stating that the tanker was seized by the Justice Department, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Defense for violating US sanctions.

"This seizure supports @POTUS Proclamation targeting sanctioned vessels that threaten the security and stability of the Western Hemisphere," the statement said, adding that the operation reflected a "whole-of-government approach" to enforcing sanctions.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth resha...