Venezuela and Iran, U.S. adversaries that have been stung by sanctions and hobbled by the
, are forging a closer strategic partnership, providing
a vital lifeline and offering Tehran the prospect of a new center of influence just across the Caribbean Sea from Florida.
The most public display of the deepening relationship: five oil tankers now steaming across the Atlantic Ocean, carrying what analysts estimate to be 60 million gallons of Iranian gasoline, which they say was bought with Venezuelan gold, an allegation Iran denies. The first of the ships is set to arrive in Venezuelan waters as soon as this weekend, to relieve
that the sick can’t get to hospitals and produce is rotting on farms.
U.S. sanctions on Iran target anyone purchasing or facilitating the purchase of petroleum products from that country, but Venezuela’s oil company is already under similar sanctions. The Trump administration has also invoked the Monroe Doctrine — the 19th-century policy that rejects outside intervention in the Western Hemisphere — to move against foreign entities that do business with Maduro.
Iran is warning against any U.S. effort to board or blockade the vessels, and Venezuela is vowing to deploy warships to escort the convoy through its territorial waters.
But a senior Trump administration official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to describe internal discussions, said the administration “would not abide” Iran’s support of Maduro.
Who knew humanitarian shipment of basic goods (needed due to US sanctions against Venezuela) could be framed by the US as such an evil act. Regardless, first Iranian oil tanker is due to arrive in Venezuela within 24-48 hours.