U.S. sanctions Iranian tanker captains for assistance to Venezuela

The United States on Wednesday announced sanctions against five Iranian tanker captains who helped transport Iranian gasoline to Venezuela.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement that the five captains delivered approximately 1.5 million barrels of Iranian gasoline and related components to Venezuela.

"As a result of today's sanctions, these captains' assets will be blocked," said the statement, warning individuals and entities against dealing with Iran and Venezuela.

An Iranian-flagged cargo ship Golsan docked in the Venezuelan port of La Guaira on Monday, according to media reports.

Five Iranian fuel tankers arrived at Venezuela shores last month. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said early this month that Iran is ready to send more fuel shipments to Venezuela if there is a request.