Three of America’s biggest adversaries seem to be teaming up, and it could lead to the Earth’s domination. US leaders have a crucial decision to make, which could have major implications for both the geopolitical landscape and the price of crude. It may seem far-fetched and even a bit sensational, but something fishy is happening out at sea, and it has nothing to do with marine life.
Why would the US impose sanctions?
It sounds like the plot of a Jason Bourne movie, but an elusive fleet is carrying petroleum from some of the USA’s enemies, both past and present. Russia, Iran, and Venezuela are colluding to transport oil despite the numerous sanctions that have been placed on their fleets in question.
This is according to a recent report published by Kharon, a leading global risk analytics company based in Los Angeles. The report details a complex scheme involving several maritime companies and oil from Russia, Iran, and Venezuela.
If these three countries are colluding, it could signal a plot aimed at Earth’s domination. Russia and Iran are already politically aligned through their BRICS affiliation, and Venezuela’s oil reserves make them a powerful ally. Trump’s administration will no doubt lose sleep over this potential triple threat.
How the tensions arose in the first place
Tension between the USA and Russia has been ongoing for decades. America’s beef with Iran can be traced back to 1979, but it’s only in the past year that tensions between “the land of the free” and Venezuela reached a boiling point, after the US opposed the contested re-election of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
In 2024, US Senator Rick Scott stated:
“We know that Edmundo González won this election. If the United States is going to lead the world in supporting democracy in Venezuela, he must be immediately recognized as president-elect.”
This denouncement of Maduro’s presidency meant that he was essentially isolated on both the left and right sides of the political aisle. However, despite the lack of official communication or collaboration, teaming up with two other oil giants could save or extend Maduro’s reign, and place another thorn in the USA’s side.
How Russia, Iran, and Venezuela move in the shadows
According to Kharon’s report, the three nations are moving oil through maneuvers that resemble a large-scale sleight-of-hand magic trick. The three Indian nationals are helping to move restricted goods between countries through shell companies that operate out of countries with murky, often unenforced laws.
If the fleets these companies transport illicit goods in are sanctioned, they change their names and fly false flags. Such was the case with a ship called the GOODWIN, which, after being sanctioned, was renamed the CUME and flew the Guyanese flag despite having zero connection to the South American nation.
The rabbit hole goes even deeper, but many companies that operate in industries that require petroleum are at risk of associating with the wrong companies. Luckily, there are safeguards and ways for these companies to protect themselves, so that they can avoid the “guilty-by-association” tag.
How to stay clear of trouble
Companies should always:
- Check, double-check, and triple-check the address of the relevant parties. It’s a major concern to have a similar address to a sanctioned party.
- Check the IMO number of a vessel, not just the name and/or flag.
- Do background checks on all parties involved.
The USA will soon take action against Iran, Venezuela, and Russia for their collusion, and that will likely have a domino effect on oil prices and geopolitical stability. Companies that are unaware of the issue mustn’t get caught in the crossfire. Political tensions can have major implications for businesses across industries.