Iran, Venezuela to Continue Cooperation in Oil Sector

According to Iran News, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for the Economic Diplomacy Affairs said Gholamreza Ansari said on Sunday that Iran and Venezuela will continue their cooperation on downstream and oil sectors. He referred to the arrival of Iranian oil tankers to Venezuela saying, “the last tanker of the five Iranian flotilla dispatched to Venezuela will arrive in Venezuelan waters today, while the other four are planning to turn back.” Expressing content, they the tankers faced no difficulty arriving in Venezuela, Ansari said “the country is of good markets for Iranian oil sector and downstream products.” “If they agree, we plan to continue our cooperation with them in this sector,” he added. He also informed that Venezuela has asked for Tehran's assistance in repairing its facilities. "Venezuela has demanded for help in repairing some of its installations and their demands are under study," Ansari said. He did not specify the type of the stated facilities, but the Latin American country had earlier asked for Iran's help in repairing its oil installations. The Iranian diplomat underlined Tehran's willingness to assist Caracas.

He also said that the last Iranian oil tanker which carried fuel to Venezuela is to arrive in the Latin American country's territorial waters on Sunday. Iran has sent five tankers loaded with 1.53 million barrels of gasoline and alkylate to Venezuela to help jump-start the oil refineries in the Latin American state amid a fuel crisis.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a message termed the shipment of Iranian fuel to Venezuela as a sign of Tehran-Caracas solidarity. Iranian fuel reaches Venezuelan stations as prices are set to rise. As believed, US maximum pressure — harsh sanctions and other forms of economic pressure — have so far had little impact on their policies. Tehran and Caracas have been able to trade to mutual benefit. These states not only successfully circumvented US sanctions; they also scored public relations points in the process. - Iran News Daily, Fars