Page 11 - MEOG Week 24 2022

MEOG POLICY & SECURITY MEOG

Iran and Venezuela sign 20-year co-

operation deal during Maduro visit

IRAN PRESIDENTS of Iran and Venezuela Ibrahim concern in the US about Iran providing Vene-
Raisi and Nicolas Maduro have signed a 20-year zuela with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs),
agreement on co-operation in fields including oil given their potential use by the military.
and petrochemicals, Mehr news agency reported The Iranian president also spoke about the
on June 11. launch of direct flights from Tehran to Caracas
The signing ceremony was held in Tehran in set to start on June 18. Visa-free entry to Vene-
the Saadabad palace complex, home of the for- zuela will be provided to Iranians that arrive on
mer Shah of Iran, during the first visit of the Ven- local airlines.
ezuelan leader to the Islamic Republic. The news of the co-operation agreement fol-
Raisi called the countries’ relations and soli- lowed news of Iran handing over an oil tanker
darity “strategic.” Both countries remain heavily to Venezuela. Documents on the transfer of the
sanctioned by the US. Iran in recent years has tanker were signed in Tehran in the presence of
put considerable effort into helping to get parts Raisi and Maduro. Local reports said the tanker
of Venezuela’s sanctions-impacted oil industry was 250 metres by 44 metres and 21 metres in
back up on their feet. height, with an oil-carrying capacity of 800,000
As well as the assistance provided in the field barrels.
of oil, Raisi mentioned Iran’s transfer of technol- The tanker was provided as part of an agree-
ogy and technical support to assist Venezuela’s ment under which Iran is to build four tankers
economy, defence and agriculture. There is some for Caracas.™

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