(…) it would be unreasonable to completely rule out an attempt by Iran to export its missiles to Venezuela. The recent shipments of Iranian oil to the country and the transfer of Venezuelan gold to Tehran, via Iranian airliners, demonstrate the Islamic Republic’s fervent commitment to its partner, despite U.S. sanctions and geographic distance. The expiration of a UN arms embargo on Iran, in October, could remove a major obstacle to the country’s plans to export missiles to Venezuela. While the United States recently re-imposed UN sanctions, to try to extend the embargo, the lack of broad international support for these measures may encourage Tehran to proceed with sales, once the embargo reaches its official expiration date. Iran would be tempted to exploit an opportunity to pressure the United States with its missiles and counter what it perceives to be strategic encirclement by Washington and its partners in the Persian Gulf region…

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