In a series of military operations, the United States has seized multiple Russian-flagged oil tankers linked to Venezuela, escalating tensions between Washington and Moscow. The White House held a briefing following the recent seizures, with officials emphasizing a commitment to enforcing sanctions against Venezuela. The actions have drawn sharp criticism from Russia, which claims the US is violating maritime law and has dispatched a submarine to escort a tanker the US attempted to seize. Amidst these developments, President Trump has indicated plans to further assert control over Venezuelan oil resources, with reports suggesting UK support in these operations. As the US ramps up its blockade, Moscow has called for the rights of the Russian crew on the seized vessels to be respected.