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In a dramatic development of tensions, Russia sends submarine and other naval assets to escort oil tanker after US tried to seize it near Venezuela.
The U.S. wanted to stop the tanker, but Russia stepped in.
This has increased tensions between the U.S. and Russia.
The tanker Bella 1 spent more than two weeks trying to bypass the U.S. blockade on Venezuela but failed to dock and load cargo. In December, the vessel's crew repelled a U.S. attempt to board the ship and then sailed into the Atlantic Ocean.
It is now being pursued in international waters by the U.S. Coast Guard.
The tanker has since re-registered as Russian, been renamed Marinera, and the crew painted a Russian flag on the hull.
According to U.S. sources, Russia then asked Washington to stop pursuing what it now claims is a Russian vessel.
On Tuesday, Russia's Foreign Ministry said it was following the situation around the tanker "with concern."
The ship is currently sailing about 300 miles south of Iceland toward the North Sea. A Russian submarine and other naval assets are moving in to support it.
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