Pentagon issues warning over Iran warship reportedly headed to Venezuela

The Biden administration has issued a stern warning to Tehran following a news report that an Iranian navy vessel may be headed to Venezuela to deliver military hardware.

“The delivery of such weapons would be a provocative act and a threat to our partners in this hemisphere,” read a statement issued by the Pentagon on Wednesday night. “As such, we would reserve the right to take appropriate measures — in concert with our partners — to deter the delivery or transit of such weapons.”

The admonishment, perhaps the strongest directed at Iran to date by the Biden administration, came in response to a report by USNI News revealing satellite imagery that showed the Iranian navy’s floating sea base, the Makran, carrying at least seven fast-attack boats onboard.

It remains unclear whether additional military hardware is onboard or what the final destination is. The Pentagon’s statement, attributed to press secretary John Kirby, follows an identical one provided to Politico by the National Security Council earlier on Wednesday.