United States authorities seized the OFAC-blacklisted very large crude carrier (VLCC) Bella 1 off the coast of Venezuela, marking the third such tanker action, according to an X post by Salvatore Mercogliano citing Bloomberg reporting from December 21, 2025. The post appeared over the past 59 minutes. The Bella 1, IMO 9230880, has 318,518 deadweight tons and measures 1,092 feet. Its registry changed to unknown after Panama in October 2024, with no insurance identified since the end of 2021 and Lloyd's classification until July 2025, as detailed in the X post. Mercogliano noted the vessel made multiple voyages carrying U.S.-sanctioned cargo from Iran's Kharg Island, primarily for Iranian and some Venezuelan oil exports. "Bloomberg have her as the empty BELLA 1 (9230880). If true, then this OFAC-blacklisted VLCC is quite a catch," the post quoted. Separately, during the same reporting period, X user @SirListenalot reported V-22 Osprey flights on December 23 UTC, with AE498A out of Cannon AFB via Hurlburt Field and AF8447 inbound to Homestead ARB, likely en route to Puerto Rico as an "xxxxx51 flight." This occurs amid U.S. Navy activity in the region, where the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group conducted maneuvers in the Caribbean Sea east of Puerto Rico until 4:45 p.m. UTC earlier today, per a U.S. Navy statement referenced in reports from the prior hour.
