Iranian tanker DOCKS at Venezuelan port after braving stormy waters to deliver 1st oil shipment despite US blockade

Satellite images showed the tanker completing a berthing operation at El Palito refinery with the help of two Venezuelan tug boats shortly after midnight on Monday local time.

In order to ensure that the ship reached Venezuela’s shores without any incident, the tanker was escorted by the Venezuelan Navy as it passed through the nation’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Also on rt.com WATCH Iranian tanker brave rough seas while carrying 1st oil shipment for Venezuela (VIDEO)

The ‘Fortune’ will be followed by another four tankers – the ‘Clavel,’ the ‘Forest,’ the ‘Faxon’ and the ‘Petunia.’ They are expected to bring a total of more than 1.5 million barrels of fuel to Venezuela, which – despite being oil-rich – has faced an energy crisis due to biting US sanctions.

Several hours before the much-awaited arrival of the ‘Fortune,’ the ‘Forest’ became the second tanker from the mini-flotilla to cross into Venezuela’s EEZ. The vessel was reportedly met by the country’s navy as well.

The Islamic Republic dispatched the mini-flotilla of tankers to help Venezuela overcome a fuel shortage as the South American country continues to suffer under sweeping US sanctions.

Both Tehran and Caracas have slammed the restrictions as illegal under international law and argued that they greatly impact ordinary people.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani previously warned that the country would retaliate if the US causes any “trouble” for the ships during their voyage across the Atlantic.

Also on rt.com US ‘will be IN TROUBLE’ if it makes ‘MISTAKE’ of interfering with Venezuela-bound tankers, Rouhani warns

DETAILS TO FOLLOW