Iranian fuel tankers approach Venezuelan waters despite U.S. warning
Last edited Sat May 23, 2020, 08:36 PM - Edit history (1)
Update: First fuel tanker from Iranian flotilla reaches Venezuela's economic zone: data (Reuters)
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Source: Reuters
WORLD NEWS MAY 23, 2020 / 8:47 AM / UPDATED 2 HOURS AGO
Iranian fuel tankers approach Venezuelan waters despite U.S. warning
Deisy Buitrago, Luc Cohen
3 MIN READ
CARACAS/DUBAI (Reuters) - The first of five Iranian tankers carrying fuel for gasoline-starved Venezuela approached the South American countrys waters on Saturday afternoon, despite a U.S. officials warning that Washington was considering a response to the shipment.
As of 4:51 p.m. local time (2051 GMT), the tanker - named Fortune - was passing north of the neighboring dual-island Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago, Refinitiv Eikon data showed.
Venezuelan state television reported that the vessel would arrive in the countrys waters at 7 p.m. local time (2300 GMT), and showed images of a navy ship and aircraft preparing to meet it.
The nations defense minister had pledged that the military would escort the tankers once they reached Venezuelas exclusive economic zone (EEZ) due to what authorities described as threats from the United States.
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Earlier on Saturday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani warned of retaliatory measures against the United States if Washington caused problems for tankers carrying Iranian fuel to Venezuela, the semi-official news agency Mehr reported.
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Read more:
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-iran-fuel-rouhani/iranian-fuel-tankers-approach-venezuelan-waters-despite-u-s-warning-idUSKBN22Z0KZ