One Stranded Tanker Signals Perils of Trading With Venezuela

  • Iranian gasoline cargo should have left for Venezuela in April
  • Fuel cargo discharged off U.A.E. after more than 100 days

The Iranian-flagged oil tanker Fortune at the El Palito refinery on May 26.

Source: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

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In May, a fleet of ships set sail for fuel-starved Venezuela with Iranian gasoline, stunning international observers who wondered if the two nations would so blatantly defy U.S. sanctions efforts in a Caribbean Sea patrolled by the U.S. Navy.

Five vessels arrived without incident, greeted by an exultant Venezuelan leader.