Iran’s foreign minister added that the US must stop acting as a bully at international level and respect teh rule of international laws, in particular the right to free shipping in free waters.
Iran summons Swiss ambassador over US threat to tankers
Following Zarif’s letter, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Abbas Araqchi summoned the Swiss envoy, whose country represents US interests in Tehran, to voice the country’s vehement protest at US provocations.
Araqchi noted that Iran and Venezuela enjoy “completely legitimate and legal trade relations,” adding that the US recourse to forceful or other forces of bullying measures will be seen as a threat to “free shipping, international trade and the free flow of energy.”
The top Iranian diplomat also warned that any threat against the country’s tankers will elicit Iran’s immediate and categorical reaction, and the US administration will be responsible for their consequences.
The Swiss envoy, for his part, said he will immediately convey the Islamic Republic’s message to the US administration and inform the Iranian government of the results as soon as possible.
Iran is shipping tons of gasoline to Venezuela in defiance of US sanctions on both countries in a symbolic move guaranteed by Tehran’s missile prowess.
Unconfirmed reports and tanker monitoring groups suggest that at least five Iranian-flagged tankers are transporting fuel to Venezuela through the Atlantic Ocean despite the US sanctions on both Tehran and Caracas.
Iran is shipping tons of gasoline to Venezuela in defiance of US sanctions on both countries in a symbolic move guaranteed by Tehran’s missile prowess.
Iran has intentionally hoisted its own flag over the huge tankers, which are navigating through the Atlantic Ocean before the eyes of the US Navy.
Iran is shipping large consignments of gasoline to Venezuela, defying the possibility that the US might want to intercept the shipments and seize the tankers.
Reports of a shipment of Iranian fuel to Venezuela in the face of US sanctions against the two allies have infuriated the United States, with one official threatening to take “measures” against the “unwelcome” development.
A shipment of Iranian fuel is on its way to Venezuela despite the United States’ sanctions against Tehran and Caracas, according to a report.
A senior official in US President Donald Trump’s administration told Reuters on Thursday that the United States was considering measures against Iran in response to the fuel shipment. The official spoke on condition of anonymity.
The official said Washington has a “high degree of certainty” that the Venezuelan government is paying Iran in gold for the fuel.
“It is not only unwelcome by the United States but it’s unwelcome by the region, and we’re looking at measures that can be taken,” the official said.
