And here's
yet another piece on the US, Venezuela and Iran:
U.S., Iran Approach Showdown Over Oil Tankers Headed for Venezuela
"The United States 'will not tolerate continued meddling' by Iran in Venezuelan affairs, a senior Trump administration official told the
Washington Free Beacon, bringing nearer the possibility of a naval confrontation between the United States and Tehran over its shipment of oil to the heavily sanctioned Maduro regime.
Five Iranian oil tankers are currently making their way to Venezuela, where they intend to bust an economic blockade established by the Trump administration on President Nicolas Maduro, whose regime has teetered on the brink of collapse since the United States deemed him the country's illegitimate leader and placed a bevy of sanctions on the regime. The tankers included in Iran's fleet are already subject to U.S. sanctions, as is the oil transported on the ships.
The situation puts the administration in a tight spot: Either it enforces its 'maximum pressure' campaign on both nations or avoids sparking a wider military conflict in American waters. President Trump has been clear about his intent to enforce the Monroe Doctrine—a policy of not permitting foreign nations to intervene in the Americas—but he has not yet been confronted with a high-stakes challenge from hostile regimes so close to U.S. soil.
'The president has made clear the United States will not tolerate continued meddling by supporters of an illegitimate regime that oppresses its people, denies basic human rights, and engages in violence and repression,' a senior administration official told the
Free Beacon, speaking only on background about the developing conflict.
Iranian military leaders said their oil tankers would reach the Caribbean in the coming days. In response, the U.S. Navy has already deployed several ships to the area.
Both Iran and Venezuela have threatened violence if the United States intercedes in the shipment. And while the Trump administration would not telegraph any actions it may be planning, U.S. officials made clear the United States does not intend to let Iran expand its malign influence into Latin America.
Iran has emerged as one of Maduro's chief allies as U.S. economic sanctions cripple both regimes. The Iranian tankers are carrying much-needed fuel for Venezuela, which has experienced severe shortfalls due to American sanctions.
Iranian military leaders have said that they will not shy away from a military conflict with America if it seeks to interfere in the oil shipment.
'We will not tolerate any harassment,' Brigadier General Amir Hatami, Iran's defense minister, said Thursday. 'The Americans and others know that we will certainly not hesitate to react to this issue, and if the harassment intensifies and continues, it will certainly face a decisive response.'
The United States now faces a tipping point in its standoff with both regimes as it deals for the first time with the threat of a joint Iranian-Venezuelan flotilla, which includes military vessels."
Translation: Trump understands Iran/Italian Mafia are plundering Venezuela's wealth with the help Venezuela's Cabal leadership, installed by Soros and company.
