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….
Stanton Lore says
What will President Trump do? Take military action!! If he doesn’t act, it is doubtful Biden will.
No coincidence this is at the end of Trump regime.
Chet Bundy says
Trump served as President of a Democratic Republic. Dictators have “regimes”.
gravenimage says
+1
SM Feldman says
Yes. After all, subs still have torpedoes, don’t they?
Mike 2 says
You want more oil soaked sea birds?
Infidel says
While President Trump is still in, why doesn’t he torpedo one of those shipments, and send Iran a clear signal? Just like he’s doing these deals w/ Morocco and inviting the Tibetan prime minister in exile to the White House?
Westman says
These ships are carrying ocean pollutants in great quantity. Sinking them would tarnish the US.
Stephen Feldman says
Tarnish US? CANT HAVE THAT! World opinion counts two ways; fear and they take your money. Admiration doesn’t get you a bed at Red Roof, let alone four seasons.
Chet Bundy says
Trump has only two options:
1) High seas interdiction, in a way where NO Warefighters lives are lost, and the crude can be sold to support anti-jihadi activities.
2) SINK THEM ALL…
Honest Ali says
And yet we don’t actually stop the ships… we let them deliver. So the embargo is in name only.
CogitoErgoSum says
So the Venezuelans have only one oil refinery in the country and it needs overhauling? I know the reason for that: Socialism.
Zé Manel Tonto says
An oil rich country needs to import oil.
There is no better way to describe socialism.
Infidel says
If sand were a commodity, desert countries that were socialist would run out of it, or have to ration it
gravenimage says
So true, Zé Manel Tonto.
DavidR says
Islam and Communism. A match made in desperation.
gravenimage says
Iran defies US sanctions, sends biggest-ever fleet of oil tankers to Venezuela
……………
This is because they see President Trump on the way out…
annonymos says
Terrorist regime of Iran illegally after kidnapped the Director of Amad News in France from Iraq and bit him up to testify in live TV and he did not said what him to say he was Hanged today after all Human Rights groups and all people of world to stop his executions. This Zahak of Islamic regime.
gravenimage says
Yes–here’s that appalling story:
“Iran Executes Dissident Accused of Stoking Protests”
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/12/world/europe/iran-execution-Ruhollah-Zam.html
He was accused of “corruption on earth”, which is an Islamic term for opposing Islam.