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Iran Warns US Not to Interfere With Shipment of Oil to Venezuela

Associated Press

   TEHRAN, IRAN - Iran's president has warned the United States not to
   interfere with a shipment of oil bound for Venezuela after the South
   American nation said it would provide an armed escort for the tankers.

   In a statement posted on his website, Hassan Rouhani said the United
   States had created ``unacceptable conditions'' in different parts of
   the world, but that Iran would ``by no means'' be the one to initiate
   conflict.

   ``If our tankers in the Caribbean or anywhere in the world face any
   problems caused by the Americans, they will face problems as well," he
   added. ``We hope the Americans will not make a mistake.''

   Rouhani made the remarks in a call with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al
   Thani, the ruling emir of Qatar, which has close relations with both
   Iran and the United States.

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