The alarming progress of the Iranian army towards the American continent

The United States looks bewildered and worried Progress Two Iranian ships heading to the Americas. Its final destination is uncertain, but Washington’s main premise is that it could be Venezuela.

The entry of warships into the waters of the Caribbean would be an unparalleled provocation by the Islamic Republic الجمهورية. Security experts are of the opinion that if they break through without any resistance, a A very dangerous precedent It could encourage other navies to follow the same steps. Russia and China will be number one in this class.

When asked about the fate of the ships, a spokesman for the Persian Foreign Ministry said that Iran has a permanent presence in international waters, and international law allows it.‘, depending on The Wall Street Journal (WSJ). “I warn that no one will miscalculate,” he added. Those who live in greenhouses should be careful.”

One of the two ships left in late April with seven fast attack boats loaded with missiles, Specialized media reported USNI News. According to satellite images provided by Maxar, IRINS Makran carries a fleet of boats with family characteristics. Pick up. It is located around of medium sized boats operated by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, the elite corps of the Persian regime, Used to harass American ships in the Persian Gulf. What is more, The ship can carry other military equipment that is not easily seen in the pictures, according to lip.

The converted tanker, Makran, is the largest in Iran and has a platform to carry up to seven helicopters. the ship Designed as a mobile naval base for boats and small aircraft capable of operating anywhere in the world. The conversion added a large flight deck, the ability to carry boats and other equipment on deck, and additional cargo below.

the middle Politician, who cited three people familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Washington had informed officials Nicolas Maduro Receipt of ships would be a mistake. However, Caracas’ decision in this regard is unknown.

Since Hugo Chávez took over Venezuela’s presidency in 1999, Tehran has maintained its refinement Closer relationship with Caracas. The armed forces of both countries participated in it military exercises It is located in the state of Aragua and according to WSJ, Venezuela offers fake identities to Iranian agents to move through the region.

The Venezuelan regime’s connection to Iran is Tarek El Aissami, former Vice President and current Minister of Petroleum. Tehran is a major energy supplier to Venezuela, whose fuel production has fallen to unprecedented levels due to a combination of Little investment in maintaining the generalized corruption that characterizes chavismo at all levels.

Sanctions imposed by the United States Against the PDVSA for the regime’s human rights violations prevented regular imports of gasoline and diesel, but Iran has managed to send enough tankers to Venezuela to keep Maduro’s dictatorship in place. Iranian tankers have resorted to various evasive techniques to move from international waters to Venezuelan waters without being detected.

But help in the field of energy and economy is being added more and more by the army. There was already in the recent past Concern that Venezuela is trying to acquire Iranian ballistic missile technology. In March, the commander of the United States Southern Command, Admiral Craig FallerAnd the The Senate warned that the two countries continue to expand cooperation to trade military resources.

“Iran has expanded economic and security cooperation with Venezuela In a statement to the Senate Armed Services Committee, Faller said “in operations to transport fuel, basic food, and military aid, and possibly expand the Quds Force presence in the region.” Tehran also relies on a state-sponsored media system Shaping information dominance, generating sympathy for Iran and Shiite Islam, and reducing Western influence in the hemisphere.”added.

It was no coincidence that this exchange might be even stronger at the moment. The timing of the Iranian ships’ dispatch may be related to Annual joint military exercises between the United States and its regional allies scheduled for June 12-26 26. The exercises this year are hosted by Guyana, a country that has Venezuela with it An old territorial dispute. Thus, the Iranian naval presence in nearby waters carries serious confrontation risks.

The United States and the rest of Latin America have very good reason to view this Iranian advance in the region with great concern. For example, Venezuela, which is being armed by Iran, may try to influence shipping to and from the Panama CanalVery close to the Venezuelan coast. The consequences of any move in this direction will be unpredictable.

This is a major inconvenience to the government Joe Biden, Which I assumed by rehearsing a diplomatic approach to TehranWith the intention of concluding a new nuclear agreement, after 2015 The departure of Washington during the presidency of Donald Trump. The medium-term goal of strategic withdrawal from the Middle East could suddenly be damaged by direct interference from Iran in its own backyard.

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