Iran defies US sanctions, sends biggest-ever fleet of oil tankers to Venezuela
BY CHRISTINE DOUGLASS-WILLIAMS
republished below in full unedited for informational, educational & research purposes:
Iran is getting markedly bolder. After the US seized the “largest-ever” Iranian fuel shipment headed to Venezuela (1.1 million barrels of petroleum) last summer, with Trump Administration plans to distribute about $40 million of the proceeds to victims of terror, Iran is again defying U.S. sanctions, as America is busy navigating through its election crisis.
Iran’s influence in Venezuela and in all of Latin America is increasing. Supplies to Venezuela do not stop at much-needed oil for the fuel-starved country. Iran’s Quds Force is also sending weapons and troops to Venezuela.
Iran expects Joe Biden to “compensate for past mistakes” and return to the nuclear deal. It certainly expects no pushback for its adventurism in Venezuela.
“Iran sends BIGGEST EVER fleet of oil tankers to Venezuela, defying US sanctions – report,” RT, December 7, 2020:
Iran is sending a large fleet of oil tankers to Venezuela to help the Latin American nation survive a severe lack of fuel, Bloomberg has reported, citing sources. Both countries are facing US sanctions targeting their oil trade.
According to the sources, some of the flotilla of around ten Iranian vessels will also help export Venezuelan crude after discharging fuel.
The current fleet under sail is about double the size of the one that first startled international observers in May when crossing part of the Caribbean Sea patrolled by the US Navy, they said.
The last Iranian fuel shipments sent in early October on three vessels are running out, threatening steeper nationwide shortages.
The sources said that the two nations are also discussing ways for Iran to help Venezuela overhaul its Cardon refinery, the last fuel plant there to operate more or less regularly.
The Iranian fuel shipments have been arriving in Venezuela despite Washington working hard to thwart the mission. In August, the US captured four Iranian cargo vessels on the high seas, taking hold of several fuel tankers on their way to Venezuela. The US has also sought to grab other Iranian vessels in the past.
“We’re watching what Iran is doing and making sure that other shippers, insurers, ship owners, ship captains realize they must stay away from that trade,” the US’ special representative for Iran and Venezuela, Elliott Abrams, said in September.
Despite previous threats from Washington to halt the flow of fuel into Venezuela, Iran has remained adamant about the shipments, repeatedly stating they would continue….
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