Sean Dilley

The crux of what the United States is claiming is that there is a trade not just in drones and drone technology, but conventional weaponry and parts needed for

for drones and conventional missiles in Venezuela.

What that apparently looks like from the non-specific release that the U.S.

government has put out is that drones that are either developed or developed and built in Iran are being used in Venezuela.

And the United States says it's concerned about the threat that poses in the Red Sea and the Middle East as a result.

But it's probably no coincidence that President Maduro is under a great deal of pressure from President Trump at the moment on a number of fronts.

And the trade in oil as well links between Iran and Venezuela.

So these two countries are very firmly in President Trump's targets.

Yeah.

I mean, part of President Trump's issue with President Maduro is how close they are to regimes that might not necessarily be in cahoots with the United States in the same way.

And Iran's a big part of that.

Again, pointing to the US claims that some of the illicit oil trade and the sanctionships are travelling to and from Iran.

That is significant.

It's not the case that Iran and Venezuela have suddenly started trading with each other or being close as a result of

The recent troubles outside on the coast of Venezuela, the two countries and the two regimes have been very close for an incredibly long time, not least of which because of the very strong shipping connections between the two and the fact that both would be historically quite suspicious of the United States.

And again, people looking at this story, they'd be forgiven for thinking, is this a Donald Trump, President Maduro story?

issue.

But it was the case that oil, including that that traded with Iran, was sanctioned under Joe Biden's regime.

And for many years, those tensions have been very difficult with Iran, not just because of its relationships in Venezuela, but because of its proximity to Israel, the Middle East and the risk of destabilising the region.

It absolutely is the case that Benjamin Netanyahu was concerned about the issue of Iran's capabilities.