By Ranjan Solomon

Venezuela and the Return of Colonial Seizure Politics

GOA - The phrase "Venezuela and the Return of Colonial Seizure Politics" is a term used primarily by the Venezuelan government and its international allies to describe recent actions by the United States, particularly those involving sanctions, asset seizures, and military pressure. This perspective argues that U.S. actions amount to a modern form of imperialism aimed at seizing the country's vast oil and mineral wealth and imposing a U.S.-backed government.

Venezuela hits 1.2 million barrel oil target despite U.S. pressure

Venezuela has reached its goal of producing 1.2 million barrels of crude oil per day this year, despite intensifying U.S. pressure and tanker seizures, said Vice President Delcy Rodriguez.

Trump 'only interested' in Venezuela's oil: analyst

'Invoking the term “Monroe Doctrine” by the current regime has a certain element of populist appeal among the isolationist-leaning electorate'

TEHRAN – Yuram Abdullah Weiler, an engineer-turned political analyst, argues that U.S. President Donald Trump’s intense pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro stems from a desire to dominate the country and secure access to its vast oil reserves, which surpass those of Saudi Arabia.

By Batool Subeiti

Capitalist expansion and US intervention in Latin America

LONDON - The United States is going through a major economic crisis, which is why Trump talks about controlling places like Greenland or the Panama Canal, and makes threats of military action against the oil-rich Venezuela, and even talking about annexing Canada.

Iran upholds sentences for 14 in massive fuel-smuggling case

TEHRAN – The Chief Justice of Hormozgan Province in southern Iran has announced that a provincial appeals court has upheld the verdict issued by the Bandar Abbas Court, finalizing the convictions of 14 members of an organized network involved in smuggling 27 million liters of diesel fuel.

Gilan’s tourism potential could rival oil revenues, minister says

TEHRAN – Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts said on Saturday that the northern province of Gilan has the capacity to generate revenues on par with oil if investment in tourism infrastructure is prioritized.

Oil minister says Iran has no unsold oil waiting at sea

TEHRAN – Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad has stated that the country has no unsold oil waiting at sea, clarifying that all current shipments are strategically managed in line with market demand.

Iran seizes four tankers in anti-smuggling operation

TEHRAN – Iranian naval forces have seized four tankers in the Persian Gulf, thwarting an attempt to smuggle thousands of liters of oil.

Geographical atlas of Persian Gulf to be unveiled

TEHRAN – In celebration of Persian Gulf National Day, a new geographical atlas dedicated to the strategic body of water and three of its islands (Musa and Greater and Lesser Tunb) is set to be unveiled during a special ceremony on April 30.

Iran to Iraq: US illegal sanctions on Iran’s oil industry lack credibility

TEHRAN - The Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein in a telephone conversation on Monday night that the United States’ illegal sanctions against Iran's oil industry are baseless and lack credibility.

By Alice C. Hill and Priyanka Mahat

Was COP29 in Azerbaijan a failure?

COP29 traversed a rocky path from the moment UN officials selected petrostate Azerbaijan as the host nation. The conference ended in overtime on November 24 with only modest climate finance goals, failed to deliver on an expected announcement of a new commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions, and displayed unusually high tensions among nations, spurred in part by statements from the host, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, that oil and gas was a “gift from God.” The result was deep concern among climate policy activists for the future of climate diplomacy.

Tehran rejects claims of Iranian crude on tankers involved in Singapore collision 

TEHRAN – Iran’s Petroleum Ministry confirmed on Saturday that neither of the two oil tankers that collided off Singapore on Friday carried Iranian crude.

Leader’s advisor highlights tourism potential as an economic powerhouse

TEHRAN – A top economic adviser to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, has emphasized that tourism could play a crucial role in bolstering Iran’s economic power on the global stage.

Iranian President arrives in Khuzestan in continuation of provincial trips 

TEHRAN – On Friday, Iran’s Persistent Ebrahim Raisi arrived in the southern province of Khuzestan where he has visited several times since taking office in 2021.

Ancient DNA extracted from urn-like tombs unearthed in southwest Iran

TEHRAN – A team of experts has extracted DNA samples from the remains of ancient humans buried in urn-like clay tombs, which were unearthed accidentally earlier this year in southwest Iran.

Iran's defense chief warns U.S. against offloading Iranian oil

TEHRAN – Iranian Defense Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiyani has criticized the U.S. decision to offload Iranian oil cargo seized by Washington, waning that Tehran won’t let the move go unanswered. 

Admiral Tangsiri warns against unloading Iranian oil stuck off coast of Texas

TEHRAN - Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy, on Thursday warned that any oil company unloading hundreds of thousands of barrels of seized Iranian oil sitting in a Greek tanker off the coast of Texas would be held accountable.

IRGC captures foreign tanker suspected of smuggling fuel in Persian Gulf

TEHRAN- The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Navy troops seized a foreign oil ship carrying over a million gallons of illicit fuel in the Persian Gulf, the IRGC Navy announced on Monday.

Iran, Cuba sign six agreements as Raisi visits Havana

TEHRAN – In the final step of his three-nation tour of Latin America, President Ebrahim Raisi of Iran visited Cuba on Thursday morning, Iran’s local time.

By Mehdi Soltani

Russia and Iran in the energy market: Competition or cooperation?

Many observers believe Moscow is behind every significant international development or organization, be that the results of the US Presidential elections or the decisions of the European Parliament.

Car of Mohammad Mosaddegh, who nationalized oil industry in Iran, named national heritage

TEHRAN - Car of Mohammad Mosaddegh, the 20th-century political leader who nationalized the huge British oil holdings in Iran, has been added to cultural heritage list of the nation.

NIOC launches projects worth €30 million

TEHRAN - The National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) has launched 10 oil and gas projects with a total value of €30 million.

Oil ship affiliated with Israeli billionaire hit by drone off Oman coast

TEHRAN- Based on some reports, an explosive-laden drone attack off the coast of Oman hit a Liberian-flagged oil ship affiliated with an Israeli tycoon.