The United States continues with the blockade and seizes 4 ships with fuel that were going to Venezuela

The cost of the seized cargo amounts to USD 50 million.

The United States reported that today, August 14, it seized four Iranian shipments sent to Venezuela. The US authorities stated that the Iranian Armed Forces sought to recover the ships, but were unsuccessful.

Otra mentira y guerra psicológica de la máquina de propaganda de #EEUU.
Los barcos no son iraníes, y ni el dueño ni su bandera no tiene nada que ver con #Irán.
El terrorista #trump no puede compensar su humillación y derrota contra Irán con falsas propagandas. pic.twitter.com/CVBijpJc0q

— Hojat Soltani (@soltanihojjat) August 13, 2020

The United States Department of Justice identified the 4 vessels as: Bella, Bering, Luna and Pandi. In addition, he shared on social networks an alleged video of the alleged attempt by Iranian forces to recover the ships.

The Iranian ambassador to Venezuela, Hojat Soltani, denied that his country had any kind of relationship with the ships, but did not rule out the possibility that Iran was the country of origin or cargo for the fuel.

The seizure of the Iranian fuel is based on the sanctions that the United States launched on Iran for its nuclear program. It is the first time that the government of Donald Trump uses sanctions to seize fuel vessels. The cargo of the seized vessels is valued at USD 50 million.

Due to the severe oil shortage in Venezuela, the South American country had to turn to allies such as Iran to calm the lack of fuel.