[Gen.Blather]

“I plead ignorance but why are they IMPORTING crude oil from Iran? (I missed any earlier explanations).”

They are importing gasoline. Venezuela has the dirtiest oil to refine on the market. A refinery has to be purpose built to handle it. America used to be their market, but we are rapidly converting refineries to handle what is called sweet crude. It’s likely that with the glut of oil nobody will buy Venezuela’s oil as it costs too much to refine.

According to articles I read, Venezuela traded to buy the gas. I suspect that one of the trades is an Iranian base or port, which would be a threat, or, at least further complicate the US’ situation. That is probably what Trump is reacting to, rather than, as posted above, trying to start a neocon style war.

[meatloaf]

Didn’t Venezuela transfer gold to Iran recently?

[ASA Vet]

My policy is to move any poster using “neocon” or “paleoncon” immediately to my “posters to ignore” file.

[Paul R.]

Correct, but... Doesn’t Iran only have about half the refining capacity that they need to meet their own needs?

Granted that if Iran’s economy is in a shambles, maybe they don’t need so much refining capacity these days...

[GOPJ]

They are importing gasoline. Venezuela has the dirtiest oil to refine on the market. A refinery has to be purpose built to handle it. America used to be their market, but we are rapidly converting refineries to handle what is called sweet crude. It’s likely that with the glut of oil nobody will buy Venezuela’s oil as it costs too much to refine. According to articles I read, Venezuela traded to buy the gas. I suspect that one of the trades is an Iranian base or port, which would be a threat...

Thanks for sharing.