Trump Seizes Massive Tanker Headed for Iran

In breaking news, the United States has seized a massive oil tanker carrying Venezuelan crude oil, an operation conducted in dramatic fashion, complete with video of U.S. personnel rappelling out of helicopters to board the vessel.

In response, Venezuela’s government has accused the U.S. of “international piracy,” which is adorable considering they were flying another country’s flag to actively try to deceive maritime authorities.

As reported by Fox News:

Venezuela on Wednesday condemned the U.S. seizure of a sanctioned oil tanker off its coast, calling it an “act of international piracy.”

“The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela strongly denounces and repudiates what constitutes blatant theft and an act of international piracy, publicly announced by the president of the United States, who confessed to the assault of an oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea,” the government said in an official communiqué.

The statement, published by Correo del Orinoco, a state-run news outlet that regularly carries Venezuela’s official government announcements, framed the seizure as part of a broader campaign against the country’s sovereignty and natural resources.

Attorney General Pam Bondi said a joint operation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations and the United States Coast Guard, with support from the Department of War, executed a seizure warrant for a crude oil tanker that was allegedly being used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran.

“For multiple years, the oil tanker has been sanctioned by the United States due to its involvement in an illicit oil shipping network supporting foreign terrorist organizations,” she said on X. “This seizure, completed off the coast of Venezuela, was conducted safely and securely—and our investigation alongside the Department of Homeland Security to prevent the transport of sanctioned oil continues.”

This wasn’t a routine stop. According to the DOJ, this vessel has been part of a larger illicit network benefiting hostile foreign actors, including the Houthis, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, and others connected to terrorism. This ship has been sanctioned since 2022 under the Biden Administration and is only now finally seeing real enforcement action.

A caller to the show asked why the far Left seems unwilling to support action that targets drug smugglers, traffickers, and even terrorist networks. Which is a very good question, but sadly, we all know the answer by now. They reflexively oppose EVERYTHING President Trump does, no matter what. Full stop.

I understand that many Americans are skeptical of military action overseas after the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, but Venezuela isn’t across the world – it’s in our hemisphere – and it is openly partnering with the world’s worst regimes. When Venezuela helps Iran, Iran’s reach grows. When Maduro enables gangs and cartels, America’s cities feel the consequences.

Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo joined us and broke it all down: 

Look, this is a big deal. We seized tankers in the first Trump Administration as well that were associated with North Korea. This time, connectivity to Iran and Venezuela, it appears. My sense is this is part of turning off the economic capacity of Maduro’s regime to stay in power. So, if I’m right on this theory, there will be more seizures. There will be more ships sitting in sea lanes off of Venezuela trying to deny the revenue that keeps the Maduro regime afloat.

If Maduro can no longer fund corruption and the drug trafficking that brings in more revenue, he becomes vulnerable.

Russia, China, and Iran are profiting from cheap Venezuelan crude oil. If the economics dry up, Pompeo believes they won’t risk a broader conflict to save Maduro. He also emphasized that enforcing sanctions, not just announcing them, is what gives U.S. policy real strength.

And that’s really the heart of it. Sanctions that aren’t enforced are worse than worthless. They signal weakness. But sanctions backed by action, like this, show that the United States means business. We also need to remember the human cost inside Venezuela. Roughly 15–20% of the country has fled. A democratic Venezuela is not only good for Venezuelans, but it’s also good for U.S. national security.

Today’s Sekulow broadcast included more discussion of this latest move by President Trump to end Venezuela’s NARCO trafficking, including more analysis from Sec. Pompeo. 

Watch the full broadcast below: