Iran complains to U.N., summons envoy over U.S. threat on Venezuela shipment

Iran complained to the United Nations on Sunday and summoned the Swiss ambassador in Tehran, who represents U.S. interests in the Islamic Republic, over possible measures Washington could take against an Iranian fuel shipment to Venezuela.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif also wrote a letter to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Iran “reserves its right to take all appropriate and necessary measures and decisive action … to secure its legitimate rights and interests against such bullying policies and unlawful practices,” Zarif wrote to Guterres.

“This hegemonic gunboat diplomacy seariously threatens freedom of international commerce and navigation and the free flow of energy,” Zarif wrote. “These efforts by the U.S. to take coercive measures to disrupt Iran’s oil sale is a dangerous escalation.”

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi passed on a message to the Swiss ambassador on Sunday warning against any U.S. threat against the Iranian tankers, according to a report on the foreign ministry website.