US threatens to destroy any Iranian missiles shipped to Venezuela

The United States has threatened to destroy any long-range missiles sent to Venezuela from Iran, after a UN embargo on Iran buying or selling weapons expired last week.

The warning comes a few days after Venezuela President Nicholas Maduro announced the creation of a Scientific and Technological Military Council that will seek the independence of the country in terms of its weapons system with the help of ‘sister’ nations, among which he mentioned China, Russia, Iran and Cuba.

There’s no confirmation that a shipment is imminent however a US official said the countries are likely to do arms deals.

‘The transfer of long-range missiles from Iran to Venezuela is not acceptable and will not be tolerated or permitted.’ Elliot Abrams, State Department Special Representative for both countries, told Fox News.

Iranian missile is fired on October 21. Media reported that the Iranian armed forces launched military air defense exercises to test ‘local’ systems

‘We will make every effort to stop shipments of long-range missiles, and if somehow they get to Venezuela they will be eliminated there.’

It bears similarities to 1962 when President John F. Kennedy blockaded Cuba to stop the Soviet Union from shipping missiles there. 

The Trump admin recently tried to convince the UN Security Council to extend an embargo on Iran trading arms but was unsuccessful.

Last week Maduro bragged that his military council would have the ‘greatest minds’ and that other countries around the world would be impressed.

Senior administration official, Abrams, continued: ‘Iran has announced its intention to engage in arms sales, and Venezuela is an obvious target because those two pariah regimes already have a relationship.

‘Venezuela is paying in gold to buy gasoline from Iran, and there is an Iranian presence in the country. Venezuela’s economy has collapsed, so every bar of gold for Iran is tens of thousands of dollars the Venezuelan people need for food and medicine.’ 

‘The transfer of long-range missiles from Iran to Venezuela is not acceptable and will not be tolerated or permitted.’ Elliot Abrams, State Department Special Representative for both countries, told Fox News

Last week Venezuela President Nicholas Maduro announced the creation of a Scientific and Technological Military Council that will seek the independence of the country in terms of its weapons system with the help of ‘sister’ nations, among which he mentioned China, Russia, Iran and Cuba

Abrams said that a transfer of missiles would put countries near Venezuela at risk.

In an announcement last week Maduro Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) to stand by for expected attacks from Colombia and to be ready to defend the country’s border with Brazil and the Caribbean Sea.

Maduro has accused Colombian President Ivan Duque of training thousands of mercenaries in preparation to invade Venezuela.  

‘Iran has shipped missiles to the Houthis, so we know they are ready, willing, and able to ship them to Venezuela and other possible buyers,’ Abrams continued.

‘Every delivery of Iranian arms destabilizes South America and the Caribbean, and is especially dangerous to Venezuela’s neighbors in Brazil, Colombia, and Guyana.’