First Iranian oil tanker docks in Venezuela
CARACAS: The first of five Iranian tankers carrying much-needed gasoline and oil derivatives docked in Venezuela on Monday, Caracas announced amid concern in Washington over the burgeoning relationship between countries it sees as international pariahs.
In a statement delivered on state television, Oil Minister Tareck El Aissami said the convoy was an expression of the Venezuelan people’s “selfdetermination” and praised Tehran’s friendship at a time of need.
“What great fortune to have Iran in these times,” said the minister, surrounded by members of the military leadership.
Earlier, El Aissami triumphantly shared images on Twitter of the first ship, “Fortune” arriving at El Palito refinery on Venezuela’s northwest coast.
The United States has closely monitored the shipments, concerned that Iran and Venezuela – both under US sanctions – were taking their longstanding ties to another strategic level.
Venezuela boasts the largest proven oil reserves in the world, but production has plummeted under the current regime and its oil exports have been hampered by US sanctions.
The Fortune arrived in Venezuela’s territorial waters on Saturday night, escorted by the Venezuelan navy.
The navy on Twitter said its ships were escorting a second tanker, the Forest, which it said entered the country’s waters early Monday.
The other Iranian tankers – Petunia, Faxon, Clavel and Forest – will arrive in the next few days, state television said.
The fleet is carrying around 1.5 million barrels of gasoline, according to press reports.
Tehran had warned of “consequences” if the US stopped the ships from reaching their destination.