The Iran-flagged tanker Forest, which is carrying about 270,000 barrels of fuel, entered Venezuelan exclusive economic zone around 1205 GMT and approached the El Palito port operated by state-run PDVSA, tanker tracking data showed. Forest is the first of three tankers delivering approximately 820,000 barrels of fuels to help ease shortages in the South American country. The other two tankers: Faxon and Fortune, are expected to arrive at the port in early October.
Both countries, which are under tough US sanctions, are deepening trade ties. The three tankers also delivered Iranian fuels to Venezuela from May through June. The two nations have been exchanging crude oil, fuel, food, refining equipment, and other industrial goods. An Iranian supertanker is expected to depart from the Jose port, to ship 1.9 million barrels of Venezuelan heavy crude for Iran’s state-owned oil company.
A former chief commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said Iran received gold bars as payment for cargoes delivered to Venezuela. He also noted that Iran would help countries that ask for assistance. According to him, Iran has assisted Venezuela with software and ideas such as how to counter cyberattacks. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is reportedly planning to set up a coalition of countries under US unilateral punitive measures.
