ICBPS- U.S. warns it will destroy potential Iranian long-range missile shipments delivered to the Maduro regime in South American Venezuela.
“The transfer of long-range missiles from Iran to Venezuela is not acceptable to the United States and will not be tolerated or permitted,” Elliott Abrams, the State Department Special Representative for Iran and Venezuela told Fox News.
“We will make every effort to stop shipments of long-range missiles, and if somehow they get to Venezuela they will be eliminated there,” the senior administration official added.
“Iran has announced its intention to engage in arms sales, and Venezuela is an obvious target because those two pariah regimes already have a relationship,” said Abrams. “Venezuela is paying in gold to buy gasoline from Iran, and there is an Iranian presence in the country. Venezuela’s economy has collapsed, so every bar of gold for Iran is tens of thousands of dollars the Venezuelan people need for food and medicine.”
Last week, a United Nations embargo on Iran buying and selling conventional weapons expired. The Trump administration unsuccessfully tried to convince the United Nations Security Council to extend the embargo.
“Iran has shipped missiles to the Houthis, so we know they are ready, willing, and able to ship them to Venezuela and other possible buyers,” said Abrams.
“Every delivery of Iranian arms destabilizes South America and the Caribbean, and is especially dangerous to Venezuela’s neighbors in Brazil, Colombia, and Guyana.”
“Missiles and terrorism are key components of Iranian security policy. Iran has already spread Lebanese Hezbollah, its chief proxy, throughout South America,” said Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD). “Potential Iranian missile or military shipments to South America will constitute a major test of the administration’s arms embargo on Iran. Russia and China will be watching closely to see how Washington responds.” U.S. To Destroy Iran Missiles
Recently, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has announced that his regime is to form a military council, saying Caracas is seeking independence for its weapons system through assistance from countries including China, Russia, Cuba, and the Islamic Republic of Iran.
“We want to activate the Scientific and Technical Military Council, which will make Venezuela’s arms system independent,” said Maduro.
The Venezuelan Maduro also claimed his country is in danger, accusing the Colombian government of “preparing 1,000 mercenaries” to attack borders.
Previously, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has called Russia, China, Iran, and Cuba as true friends of Venezuela for their help.
The Islamic Republic of Iran has sent several tankers carrying petrol has allegedly reached the Venezuelan coast on Wednesday.
Iran shipped 820,000 barrels of gasoline to Venezuela by three tankers in the last month.
In May, Iran also sent five tankers containing 1.5 million barrels — at least $45.5 million worth of gasoline and similar products.
The rich-oil south American country faces a drastic shortage of petroleum products due to its frazzle and out-dated facilities.
“Iranian gasoline shipments to Venezuela are made in exchange for gold bars,” said IRGC Maj. Gen Yahya Rahim Safavi.
“We gave Venezuela gasoline and received gold bars, and we took the bars to Iran by plane, to avoid setbacks along the way,” El Nacional quoted the IRGC commander-in-chief. U.S. To Destroy Iran Missiles
“We help the Maduro regime to form a mobilization force to prepare to fight the United States,” Radio Farda quoted the IRGC top general.
