Latin America
“The rogue regimes in Caracas and Tehran are unified by their penchant for corruption, self-enrichment and gross mismanagement of their peoples’ wealth,” said U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
U.S. missile destroyer conducts “freedom of navigation” operation in seas over which the Maduro regime “falsely claims” control, according to the navy.
According to Iranian media reports, an order was issued to Iran’s armed forces to identify and track U.S. merchant vessels in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
The Trump administration could sanction as many as 50 tankers.
The South American country has a history of anti-Semitic tragedies, such as the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish community center in Buenos Aires.
The United States may impose sanctions on at least 40 additional foreign oil tankers for trading with Venezuela, say American officials.
“I am obliged to go to personally thank the people,” says Venezuelan President Nicolas Máduro.
Washington is monitoring the situation and has warned outsiders that they could face repercussions if they take part in transactions.
“We deeply regret the U.S. decision to end the waivers,” which “serve the nonproliferation interests of all,” the countries say • Iranian fuel begins arriving in Venezuela’s gasoline stations.
If Iranian oil tankers “in the Caribbean or anywhere in the world face trouble caused by the Americans,” the United States will also be “in trouble,” says Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.
The statement by Brian Hook comes as the Trump administration has reportedly been considering new sanctions and other steps in response.
Aside from sanctions, other possible steps the United States could take include confiscating the tankers.
