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Added on the 13/04/2019 11:52:09 - Copyright : Wochit
In the 4th century BC, the ancient Sanskrit treatise, the Arthashastra, said 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend.' According to Business Insider, Iran and Venezuela may be taking that to heart as their relationship grows ever closer. While the nations are US President Donald Trump's most frequent foreign-policy targets, Iran has been sending oil tankers directly to Venezuela. In September, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the US would place more sanctions on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Pompeo accused Maduro's government of working with Tehran 'to flout the UN arms embargo.' US officials say intervening to stop Iranian tankers from reaching Venezuela was an option, raising concerns Trump may seek a confrontation before the election.
The United States imposes sanctions on a shipping network it says is run by Iran's Revolutionary Guards, saying it sold millions of barrels of oil to benefit Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. SOUNDBITE
Guyanese Foreign Minister Hugh Hilton Todd and Venezuelan counterpart Yvan Gil meet in Brasilia to discuss the discuss the simmering crisis on their border over the disputed oil-rich Essequibo region. IMAGES
The United States demands that Iran immediately release a ship seized off Oman's coast in avowed retaliation for US actions. "The Iranian government must immediately release the ship and its crew. This unlawful seizure of a commercial vessel is just the latest behavior by Iran or enabled by Iran aimed at disrupting international commerce," State Department spokesman Vedant Patel tells reporters. SOUNDBITE
The United States is closely watching tensions between Venezuela and Guyana over a disputed, oil-rich border region and wants them to avoid any conflict, the White House says. "We obviously don't want to see any violence occur here or conflict occur," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby tells reporters. SOUNDBITE
The United States calls for Iran to free a Panama-flagged oil tanker seized in the Strait of Hormuz, the second vessel Tehran's forces have taken control of in a week. "Iran's harassment of vessels and interference with navigational rights in regional and international waters are contrary to international law and disruptive to regional stability and security," says State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel during a press briefing. SOUNDBITE