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5 Iran Tankers Sailing to Venezuela Amid US Pressure Tactics
By Associated Press, Wire Service Content via USN ^ | May 17, 2020 | By Associated Press, Wire Service Content

Posted on 05/17/2020 10:18:43 PM PDT by RomanSoldier19

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Five Iranian tankers likely carrying at least $45.5 million worth of gasoline and similar products are now sailing to Venezuela, part of a wider deal between the two U.S.-sanctioned nations amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington.

The tankers' voyage came after Venezuela's socialist leader Nicolás Maduro already turned to Iran for help in flying in chemicals needed at an aging refinery amid a gasoline shortage, a symptom of the wider economic and political chaos gripping Latin America's one-time largest oil producer.

For Iran, the tankers represent a way to bring money into its cash-starved Shiite theocracy and put its own pressure on the U.S., which under President Donald Trump has pursued maximalist campaigns against both nations.

But the strategy invites the chance of a renewed confrontation between the Islamic Republic and America both in the Persian Gulf, which saw a series of escalating incidents often involving the oil industry last year, and wider afield.

(Excerpt) Read more at usnews.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: iran; socialism; venezuela
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1 posted on 05/17/2020 10:18:43 PM PDT by RomanSoldier19
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To: RomanSoldier19

Gee, it would be a real shame if something happened to those tankers.


2 posted on 05/17/2020 10:21:13 PM PDT by mass55th ("Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway." ~~ John Wayne)
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To: RomanSoldier19
Couple of anonymous Mark IX torpedoes.

Problem goes away.


3 posted on 05/17/2020 10:35:02 PM PDT by Candor7 (Obama fascism:)
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To: Candor7

What, the crap Bliss-Levitt one or the surface-launch-only pre-WW2 British one?


4 posted on 05/17/2020 10:50:11 PM PDT by Spktyr (Overwhelmingly superior firepower and the willingness to use it is the only proven peace solution.)
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To: RomanSoldier19
Maybe the Navy could stop them, take all their fuel, and send them on their way. If the ass hats 🎩 encounter a light rain storm, would be blamed for it anyway. Might as well make it worth it. 😁👍
5 posted on 05/17/2020 11:02:52 PM PDT by Mark17 (Father of US Air Force Officer, who graduated from Air Force pilot training, on 1 May 2020)
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To: RomanSoldier19

It would be quite ironic if some pirates took them over for random....


6 posted on 05/17/2020 11:08:19 PM PDT by datura
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To: datura

Maybe they’ll run into a cruise ship.


7 posted on 05/17/2020 11:41:46 PM PDT by JohnBovenmyer (waiting for the tweets to hatch)
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To: RomanSoldier19

Ahoy, Mohammed, those are nice tankers that you have there. It would be a shame if anything happened to them, what with all the waterspouts, loose mines, djins, and UFOs in the region. Why not turn back while you still can?


8 posted on 05/18/2020 1:35:50 AM PDT by Rockingham
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To: RomanSoldier19

For Iran, the tankers represent a way to bring money into its cash-starved Shiite theocracy


Venezuela has money? Who knew?


9 posted on 05/18/2020 3:21:30 AM PDT by VTenigma (The Democrat party is the party of the mathematically challenged)
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To: Candor7

Captain to Bridge Observer: Relax... I’m not going to launch one unless he launches one.

Weapons Officer: Firing one!


10 posted on 05/18/2020 3:24:55 AM PDT by Tallguy (Facts be d@mned! The narrative must be protected at all costs!))
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To: RomanSoldier19

Since 1945 the US has guaranteed free and equal access to the sea. According to Peter Zehan, all of the world’s blue water navy ships do not equal the firepower of one carrier battle group. If the US stops those boats we will be entering a new era. If anyone is willing to break precedence, it’s Trump.

My popcorn delivery from Amazon has been delayed due to increased demand.


11 posted on 05/18/2020 3:42:50 AM PDT by Gen.Blather
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To: RomanSoldier19
Amazing that the country with the largest proven oil reserves in the world is 1) broke, and 2) experiencing a gasoline shortage.

Ain't socialism grand?

12 posted on 05/18/2020 4:18:35 AM PDT by Yo-Yo ( is the /sarc tag really necessary?)
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To: Candor7

Give the Navy SEALs the job.


13 posted on 05/18/2020 5:49:34 AM PDT by moovova (Words are fun.)
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To: RomanSoldier19

Technical question: I thought Iran had serious gasoline shortages due to lack of refining capacity, and had to import gasoline.

How is it they have gasoline to export .......and that to a country that has no money?

I know, evil dictators have to support one another or they all die.......


14 posted on 05/18/2020 6:13:30 AM PDT by Arlis
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To: Candor7

Where is the screen door in that submarine? /s


15 posted on 05/18/2020 7:27:07 AM PDT by faucetman (Just the facts, ma'am, Just the facts)
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To: datura

Or by some random pirates.


16 posted on 05/18/2020 7:27:51 AM PDT by faucetman (Just the facts, ma'am, Just the facts)
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To: RomanSoldier19

Disabling a tanker mid-ocean shouldn’t be too difficult. Let ‘em float aimlessly for a while.


17 posted on 05/18/2020 8:26:49 AM PDT by jdsteel (Americans are Dreamers too!!!)
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To: RomanSoldier19

——the tankers represent a way to bring money into its cash-starved Shiite theocracy——

That statement presumes Maduro has the hard currency to pay the bill.

I wonder what currency will pay for the transaction. Gold?


18 posted on 05/18/2020 8:32:25 AM PDT by bert ( (KE. NP. N.C. +12) Progressives are existential American enemies)
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To: bert

YES, Venezuela has shipped considerable quantities of gold to Iran in the past months. Largely to get their help restarting their dead in the water refinery system.


19 posted on 05/18/2020 8:41:44 AM PDT by Godzilla ( I just love the smell of COVFEFE in the morning . . . .)
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To: Spktyr

Its indeed a British one, still in use. You are very perceptive. The Brits should do it simply because they owe America for providing a platform for Steele to do his bogus report.


20 posted on 05/18/2020 1:35:23 PM PDT by Candor7 (Obama fascism:)
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