Iran warns U.S. off threats against Iranian Venezuela-bound fuel tankers

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro (R) meets with Iran's President Hassan Rouhani during the 17th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit, in Margarita Island, Venezuela, on Sept. 16, 2016. (Xinhua/Presidencial Press/AVN)

Iran Wednesday warned U.S. off any threats against Iranian oil tankers carrying fuel to Venezuela, affirming any threats will triggerIran's harsh response.

TEHRAN, May 20 (Xinhua) -- The Iranian defense minister on Wednesday warned the United States off any threats against the Iranian oil tankers carrying fuel to Venezuela.

Any threats for the tankers will trigger Iran's harsh response, Amir Hatami was quoted as saying by official IRNA news agency.

Causing any insecurity to the oil tankers and maritime trade routes is in violation of the international law and will draw reaction of international institutions and countries, said Hatami.

"Our policy is also clear, and we won't tolerate any disturbance for our tankers," he noted.

Ali Rabiee, spokesman for Iran's government, said on Monday that Iran was ready for the worst-case scenario over U.S. threats against the shipment of Iranian fuel to Venezuela.

The remarks by the Iranian officials came after the White House announced last week that the United States was considering measures it could take in response to Iran's shipment of fuel to crisis-stricken Venezuela. ■