Hezbollah leader says Iranian fuel en route to Lebanon

The delivery could help Lebanon deal with its fuel crisis, but it may also put Lebanon at risk due to US sanctions on Iranian fuel, one rival politician said.

AL-MONITOR Staff
AL-MONITOR Staff
An employee fills a car with gasoline at a petrol station in Lebanon's capital, Beirut, on June 11, 2021, amidst severe fuel shortages.
An employee fills a car with gasoline at a petrol station in Lebanon's capital, Beirut, on June 11, 2021, amidst severe fuel shortages. The head of Lebanon's powerful Shiite movement Hezbollah on June 8 said the country could soon be forced to rely on fuel imports from Iran, amid an ongoing economic collapse. — ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said on Thursday Iranian fuel would sail to Lebanon “within hours.”

“Our first ship has completed all arrangements and will sail within hours from Iran to Lebanon with the blessing of Imam Hussein,” said Nasrallah in a speech, making a reference to the revered Shiite Muslim figure.

Nasrallah said "this ship will be followed by other ships” carrying diesel oil to the country. The leader’s remarks were published by the Hezbollah-affiliated Al Manar TV.

Nasrallah’s remarks are notable due to US sanctions on Iran, which prohibit deals with the country’s energy industry. The US military seized an Iranian fuel shipment bound for Venezuela last year. Nasrallah warned other states from interfering with the fuel shipment.

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