President Trump’s special envoy on Iran and Venezuela, Eliott Abrams, commented on concerns about Iran establishing a military presence in Venezuela over the weekend, saying that the US will not tolerate any Iranian missiles that can reach US soil in Venezuela.
This all appears very theoretical, as while Venezuela and Iran are getting closer, there is no indication that missiles are being planned for deployment. Abram’s talk of interdicting Iranian ships seems to be bellicosity for its own sake, tackling a problem unlikely to exist.
Even if it is a potential issue, it probably won’t be one in Abrams’ purview, as a political appointee of the outgoing administration. Iran seems to be trying to avoid a war with the Trump Administration, and hoping for better fortunes with diplomacy under Biden.
The whole allegation is based on US accusations that Venezuela was helping Iran skirt a since-expired arms embargo, and frets that this could mean military ties between the two. None of this meant Iranian missiles headed to Venezuela, even if the very idea was a great opportunity for hawks to threaten Iran.
We’re all for ‘free trade’, but if Iran wants to sell gasoline to venezuela we’ll just take it for ourselves. And arms sales are awesome business that builds relations with other militaries when the US does it, but a destabilizing threat when others do it. Remember, we are the law and we’re above the law.
“Even if it is a potential issue, it probably won’t be one in Abrams’ purview, as a political appointee of the outgoing administration.”
As if there aren’t more despicable assholes like Abrams just waiting for a job within Biden’s foreign policy team.
That would require at least 1,000 miles to reach Key West, FL, outside the range of Iran’s longest range missiles. They do have missiles they could sell that could pound Puerto Rico.
Given what I saw after hurricane Maria, the Trump Admin. doesn’t care about Puerto Rico. Venezuela has less than zero interest in bombing Puerto Rico but that is one way to tell the lie and claim you are telling the truth if you are ever forced to explain yourself.