Venezuela has announced that Iran has offered broad cooperation following the latest U.S. seizures of oil tankers linked to Venezuelan crude. These developments come amid escalating tensions over Washington’s enforcement of sanctions and maritime interdictions in the Caribbean.

In a statement posted on his Instagram account, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil revealed that the government had received “a full expression of solidarity from the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran” after the United States seized a second oil tanker connected to Venezuela. Gil also shared that he spoke by phone with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, during which Tehran extended an offer of cooperation “in all areas” to confront what Caracas describes as U.S. “piracy” and the use of military force.

“Everyone has seen the recent events in the Caribbean, especially the threats, acts of piracy by the United States and the theft of ships loaded with Venezuelan oil,” Gil added.

These comments followed confirmation by U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that U.S. forces seized an oil tanker in international waters on Saturday. In a video posted on social media, Noem stated that the U.S. Coast Guard, with support from the Defense Department, stopped a tanker that had last docked in Venezuela. She emphasized that the United States would continue pursuing the illicit movement of oil used to finance “narco-terrorism.”

According to shipping sources cited by Reuters, the vessel seized on Saturday is believed to be the Panama-flagged tanker Centuries, which was carrying Venezuelan crude bound for Asia. While the tanker was not listed among U.S.-sanctioned vessels, analysts noted that the seizure marks an escalation in enforcement.

The Venezuelan government has denounced the tanker seizures as “theft” and “international piracy.” U.S. authorities have now seized two tankers this month and are currently pursuing a third vessel, identified by maritime analysts as Bella 1. The latter has been previously sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury for allegedly transporting Iranian-linked oil.

A U.S. official told CBS News that the Coast Guard is in “active pursuit” of Bella 1, which is reported to be operating under a false flag.

In response to the U.S. campaign, Venezuela has requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council. Meanwhile, China has criticized the seizures, labeling U.S. sanctions as “unilateral and illegal.”

Washington maintains that these measures target sanctions evasion and drug trafficking, while President Nicolás Maduro’s government argues that the actions are aimed at regime change and control over Venezuela’s vital oil resources.
https://www.ibtimes.com/venezuela-says-iran-offered-cooperation-all-areas-after-us-seizures-oil-tankers-3793506