Iranian Fuel Stolen by US Discharges in New York

Source: https://news.antiwar.com/2020/10/02/iranian-fuel-stolen-by-us-discharges-in-new-york/
Published: Oct 3, 2020
Author: Dave DeCamp
Post Date: 2020-10-03 09:24:58 by Ada
Views: 162

US seized 1.1 million barrels of Iranian fuel in July that was bound for Venezuela

A tanker carrying Iranian fuel seized by the US discharged in New York on Thursday, according to vessel tracking data. The Singapore-flagged Maersk Progress unloaded 557,000 barrels of gasoline.

In July, the US seized an estimated 1.1 million barrels of Iranian fuel on four privately owned tankers that were bound for Venezuela. That fuel was then transferred to two tankers, the Maersk Progress and the Euroforce, which has been off the coast of Houston since September 9th.

It is not clear exactly how the US seized the fuel shipments. With US sanctions on Venezuela specifically targeting the maritime industry, it is possible the shipowners were threatened with the loss of registration or insurance, which could have been enough for them to comply and sail to a US port.

Iran and Venezuela are natural trading partners since both are under heavy US sanctions. Venezuela is facing a dire gasoline shortage due to the economic blockade imposed by the US, and Iran has plenty of fuel to sell. The two countries continue to trade and skirt US sanctions.

Earlier this week, a convoy of three Iranian tankers arrived in Venezuelan waters. Iran confirmed it received gold bars from Venezuela as payment for the shipments.

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#1: BTP Holdings    To: Ada (#0)

Iran confirmed it received gold bars from Venezuela as payment for the shipments.

I wonder where Venezuela got the gold? They do have plenty of oil. They even sent a barge with 2,000,000 gallons of fuel oil to Boston Harbor at 40% discount in 2016. Why on earth would they have gasoline sent in from Iran? Maybe their refineries are not up to snuff. ;)

BTP Holdings posted on 2020-10-03 10:36:49   Reply   Private Reply

#2: Pinguinite    To: Ada (#0)

The US has no legal authority to confiscate the oil/fuel from the tankers, even with sanctions. The best they can do (semi-legally) is persuade the ship owners to give it to them via extortion.

Pinguinite posted on 2020-10-03 14:12:28   Reply   Private Reply

#3: BTP Holdings    To: Pinguinite (#2)

give it to them via extortion.

I found THIS information.

It seems the U.S. has threatened ship owners, insurers and captains with sanction to force them to hand over their cargo. ;)

BTP Holdings posted on 2020-10-03 14:59:16   Reply   Private Reply

#4: Dakmar    To: Pinguinite (#2)

Impressment and naval actions

All your ships are belong to us.

Dakmar posted on 2020-10-03 16:15:35   Reply   Private Reply

#5: BTP Holdings    To: Dakmar (#4)

Impressment

Indeed. The British would grab young men and press them into service on the King's ships. ;)

BTP Holdings posted on 2020-10-03 16:20:27   Reply   Private Reply