The Cross-Atlantic Five Tanker Delivery Deflates Trump’s Arrogant Project of ‘Maximum Pressure’: Australian Prof.

“Just as Iran’s strike on the US air base in Iraq earlier this year was so powerful yet so disciplined that it allowed no response, so the Iran-Venezuela cooperation has left Washington without recourse. These measures to confront and defeat US threats have a cumulative effect: each time the threats are shown to be impotent the rest of the world sees that the Resistance to imperialism has force, and has a future. Those who felt powerless and defeated have been given new hope,” Professor Tim Anderson, director of the Sydney-based Centre for Counter-Hegemonic Studies, said in an interview.

The following is the full text of Anderson interview:

ICDT: Amid heightened tensions and threats from the United States, five Iranian oil tankers reached to Venezuela. What’s your take on this development?

Tim Anderson: The Iran-Venezuela cooperation, in face of US threats and aggression, is a very powerful symbol of cross-cultural and cross-continental resistance.

There is a history to it, of course, which began with the strong bonds forged between the two countries by Presidents Chavez and Ahmadinejad.

The recent exchange shows to the world that nations under attack can resist, if they remain strong and united. These lessons will not be lost on many small countries, who often feel isolated.

It tells the world that trade, investment and other forms of cooperation can take place outside the space defined by a would-be empire.

ICDT: How would this development impact the Iran’s position in international politics? What will be the consequences for the US and Trump?

Tim Anderson: The recent tanker aid shows the world an Iran engaged in fraternal and generous relations with the non-Muslim world, and with countries outside West Asia.

It raises the international importance and role of Iran, beyond its status as the leader of the independent peoples of West Asia. At the same time it deflates President Trump’s arrogant project of ‘maximum pressure’ on both Iran and Venezuela.

That, combined with US failures in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria, and with the dismal failure of Washington to protect its own citizens from the COVID19 epidemic, significantly diminishes the global image of US neoliberalism as a model to follow, or rather to obey.

ICDT: As you might know Iran warned Washington against any act of interference with the fuel delivery. What message does the success of the delivery convey to the world? And to what extent has the deterrent power and countermeasure of the IRGC been effective in the US decisions?

Tim Anderson: The cross-Atlantic five tanker delivery in face of threats from the Trump regime, and in an area arrogantly claimed as Washington’s “back yard”, highlights the impotence of those threats.

It comes at a time when the people of the US have suffered enormously from the COVID19 epidemic, receiving little help from their government, and now they are enraged at and reacting against the racist violence inflicted on African Americans and other ordinary citizens, by their own state agencies.

Just as Iran’s strike on the US air base in Iraq earlier this year was so powerful yet so disciplined that it allowed no response, so the Iran-Venzuela cooperation has left Washington without recourse. These measures to confront and defeat US threats have a cumulative effect: each time the threats are shown to be impotent the rest of the world sees that the Resistance to imperialism has force, and has a future. Those who felt powerless and defeated have been given new hope.