Iran Vows Retaliation If US Blocks Oil Shipments to Venezuela

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Iranian Foreign Ministry yesterday warned the United States of the potential for taking “appropriate and necessary measures” in light of Washington’s threats to block the shipment of fuel to Venezuela.

In a letter to the Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), Antonio Guterres, Iran denounced the threats against its tankers, considering them “illegal, dangerous and provocative” and a form of piracy that constitutes a major threat to international peace and security.

Tension between the two countries has escalated following reports of the US plan to prevent Iranian fuel from being shipped to Venezuela, where at least one Persian-flagged ship is headed.

The head of Iranian diplomacy, Mohamad Yavad Zarif, held the US administration accountable for the “consequences of any illegal action” and reiterated “Iran’s right to take appropriate and necessary measures against threats”.

In addition to the letter sent to the UN, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Swiss Ambassador in Tehran, Markus Leitner, who represents Washington’s interests in the absence of diplomatic relations between the two countries, with Iran’s Deputy Minister for Political Affairs, Abás Araqchí, officially voicing the Islamic Republic’s protest and threatening “an immediate and decisive reaction” against the United States.

“The use of coercive measures or other forms of intimidation by the US is a threat to the free flow of energy, a clear display of piracy and a serious violation of international law,” said Abás Araqchí.

Iran and Venezuela have had a very close relationship since the time of former President Hugo Chávez (1999-2013), based on opposition to the US, a country that maintains sanctions on those two countries.

Tehran’s support for Caracas has also recently been the subject of controversy, with the publication of reports that the Nicolás Maduro regime provided Iran with nine tons of gold in exchange for help to repair refineries.

The Venezuelan authorities denied sending this gold to Iran and rejected the “unfounded” accusations made by the US.

Venezuela is currently experiencing a drop in production of oil and derivatives due to disruptions that have paralyzed several of its refineries, affected by sanctions and lack of investment.

The Iranian energy sector is also greatly weakened by the sanctions imposed in 2018 by the US, which banned the export of Iranian oil.