Report: White House urges Venezuela and Cuba to expel Iranian ships

 The American newspaper "Politico" reported that the administration of US President Joe Biden is urging Venezuela to expel two Iranian navy ships believed to be bound for the country.

Sources told the American newspaper that the White House is pressing the Venezuelan government not to allow Iranian ships - believed to be carrying weapons, to dock - and communication is underway with Venezuela's neighbors to ensure that the ships do not dock.

The newspaper had reported - for the first time last May - that the United States was monitoring Iranian ships, although their final destination was not confirmed at the time, and according to reports, officials within the regime of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro were advised not to allow the ships to dock, and Politico indicates That the transfer of weapons from an Iranian ship to Venezuela would be a highly provocative act that directly contradicts the warnings of the United States.

Both Venezuela and Iran are currently under severe US sanctions, and the two countries have developed close ties over the years, working together on fuel shipments and setting up factories.

The presence of Iranian ships in the Western Hemisphere could jeopardize the ongoing Iranian nuclear talks in Vienna, in which the United States participates indirectly through allies.

Politico notes that the Venezuelan government is using the situation as leverage to ease some US sanctions against it. However, US officials have reportedly made it clear that allowing ships to dock will reduce the prospects for sanctions relief.