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Added on the 08/01/2020 18:04:29 - Copyright : AFPTV - First images
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 says it is imposing sanctions on Iran's defense ministry and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro under a UN authority which is widely contested. "For nearly two years corrupt officials in Tehran have worked with the illegitimate regime in Venezuela to flout the UN arms embargo," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tells reporters. "Our actions today are a warning that should be heard worldwide." SOUNDBITE
US President Donald Trump says the United States will launch a procedure called "snapback" aimed at reimposing UN sanctions on Iran. "The United States intends to restore virtually all of the previously suspended United Nations sanctions on Iran," he tells reporters. SOUNDBITE
US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announces sanctions against more than a dozen leading producers of metals in the Islamic republic, in addition to fresh sanctions against eight top Iranian officials Washington is accusing of working to destabilize the region. SOUNDBITE
US President Donald Trump says that sanctions on Iran will be further increased unless it halts its weapons drive and aggression in the Middle East. SOUNDBITE