Monday, February 9, 2026 at 4:19 PM
The U.S. seized a sanctioned oil tanker, the Aquila II, in the Indian Ocean after tracking it from the Caribbean, as stated by the Pentagon.
The vessel was operating against U.S. sanctions related to Venezuela's oil industry.
But using the same strategy the White House directed at Venezuela is seen as likely to spark retaliation by Tehran and a surge in oil prices.
Two people reported injuries after the vessels assigned to the military buildup in the Caribbean collided during a ship-to-ship refueling.
The Treasury Department issued licenses Friday for oil companies including Chevron and certain European rivals to operate in the country.
