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Added news to , Iran

Iranian envoy in Venezuela Hojjat Soltani strongly rejected a Wall Street Journal report claiming that the US has seized four Iranian tankers, while another official in similar remarks said neither the ship nor the cargo belong to Iran.

“Another lie and psychological war from the Imperialist propaganda apparatus of the US,” wrote Soltani on his Twitter account on Friday, adding, “Neither are the tankers Iranian nor do their owner or flags have anything to do with Iran.”

He noted that terrorist Trump cannot make up for his humiliation and defeat against the great Iranian nation through false propaganda.

Meantime, a Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) official also denied the report, saying, "Neither the ships nor their crude or fuel cargos were Iranian".

WSJ had claimed in a report on Friday that the Trump administration has for the first time confiscated cargo in vessels allegedly loaded with Iran fuel in violation of sanctions.

It quoted US unnamed US officials as saying that the four ships, Luna, Pandi, Bering and Bella, were seized on the high seas in recent days and are now en route to Houston, Texas.

Early in June, five Iranian oil tankers carrying millions of barrels of gasoline and components entered the ports of the fuel-starved South American country and came back to Iran.

The ships, their cargoes and their insurance papers had all been issued by Iran.

President Maduro appreciated Iran, China, Russia and Cuba for their assistance to Caracas, describing them as the real friends of his country.

"Humanitarian aid is coming from China, Russia, Iran and Cuba. They are (Venezuela’s) true friends," Maduro said in a speech broadcast by the state TV.

Maduro said he would visit Iran once health conditions resulting from the new coronavirus outbreak permit in order to thank the Iranian government and sign a “high-level bilateral agreement strengthening energy, financial and military ties”.

“I am obliged to go to personally thank the people,” Maduro said in a state television address, without providing a date for the visit.