Russia has reportedly deployed a submarine and other vessels to escort an oil tanker which is also being pursued by US forces across the Atlantic.

The ship, currently between Iceland and the British Isles, has been accused of breaking US sanctions and shipping Iranian oil.

It has historically transported Venezuelan crude oil but is reporting to be empty at the moment.

Previously named Bella 1, its name has been changed to Marinera and it has also reportedly been reflagged from a Guyanese to a Russian vessel.

President Donald Trump said last month that he was ordering a “blockade” of sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, a move the government there described as “theft”.

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