Georgia: Georgia will clarify the facts behind the US seizure of a Russian-flagged oil tanker and seek information on its Georgian crew members, the country's Maritime Transport Agency said on Thursday. Officials said six Georgian citizens were among 28 crew members on the seized tanker, the Marinera. One is reportedly the ship's captain.

According to Anadolu Agency - English, the Maritime Transport Agency of Georgia is actively working to clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident, including identifying the ship's employing company and gathering information about the Georgian crew members. The tanker, Marinera, was seized by US forces in the North Atlantic Ocean due to alleged violations of US sanctions.

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt explained that the Marinera was considered part of Venezuela's "shadow fleet" and was involved in transporting oil subject to US sanctions. She stated that the vessel was deemed "stateless" after sailing under a "false flag," which resulted in a judicial seizure order forming the legal basis for the US action. Leavitt further noted that the crew might face prosecution for any applicable violation of federal law and could be brought to the United States for such prosecution, if necessary.

Russia condemned the seizure, describing it as a 'gross violation of the fundamental principles and norms of international maritime law.' Russian officials claimed that the tanker had received temporary permission to fly the country's flag on Dec. 24 and was "innocently passing through international waters," en route to a Russian port when it was seized.