Caracas, May 24 (RHC)-- On Sunday, Venezuela thanked Iran for sending tankers carrying fuel for the Venezuelan people within the framework of the U.S. blockade against the South American country.

The crew of the Venezuelan navy ship Yekuana, which accompanied the Iranian vessel through its territorial waters, with fuel for the South American nation, thanked the Persian nation for its support in exercising its sovereignty, and its fight against the U.S. blockade 

Coastal authorities of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) addressed words of welcome to the crew of Iran's first oil tanker, called Fortune, upon entering Venezuelan territorial waters.

"On behalf of our President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Commander-in-Chief of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces, Nicolás Maduro Moros, and all the Venezuelan people, we thank and appreciate the support received by the sister Islamic Republic of Iran," the message states.

The same message highlighted that Iran has travelled the world with its tankers transporting fuel for the people of Venezuela affected by the economic blockade imposed by the U.S. government.

The vessel transports gasoline to attend to the fuel situation in the country, as part of the cooperation agreements between both nations that cover several sectors, including energy.  In this sense, it is expected that four other vessels, Petunia, Forrest, Faxon and Clavel, will progressively arrive to the nation as an act of sovereignty and self-determination.

The arrival of the Fortune occurred without news and the ship was guarded by the Navy and the Bolivarian Military Aviation in the face of threats from the United States government to prevent its arrival.

Telesur shared on Twitter the words of welcome, in which it was recalled that both Venezuela and Iran are being affected by the application of coercive, unilateral, arbitrary and illegal measures imposed by the United States, which affect economic development.

"But at this moment we are exercising sovereignty and our right to free trade and navigation, above all sending a message that no country will be able to with our self-determination. Welcome to the homeland of Bolivar and Chavez," said the FANB official.

"According to the maritime, traditional and naval agreements, and as a gesture of friendship, we will accompany them under the protection of our escort to their port of destination," he ratified.

"Venezuela and Iran continue to be reference points for revolutionary processes in Latin America and the world. We are sure that with the cooperation and solidarity of the Iranian people we will advance together to guarantee full freedom and happiness of our sister nations," the Venezuelan official stressed.

In response, the Iranian crew authority thanked the welcome and expressed: "Your message is well received by me and my crew. To the people of Venezuela and to the government let's hope we are working in the same way when we leave.  Thank you very much for your support and I hope that everything will end peacefully and safely."