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Iran and Venezuela Agree to Oil Export Deal

Venezuela has struck a deal with Iran to swap its heavy oil for Iranian condensate that can be used to up the quality of the country's tar-like crude oil, Reuters reported Sept. 25. The first shipments are expected this week,…

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five people close to the deal said, according to Reuters. The deal, signed between the state-run companies Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A. and National Iranian Oil Co., seeks to skirt U.S. sanctions for both nations. The swap is scheduled to last six months but could be extended, the report said. The Treasury Department told Reuters the U.S. can impose “secondary sanctions” against non-U.S. individuals or entities that carry out transactions with either of the oil companies. Secondary sanctions can include freezing a given party out of the U.S. financial system, fines or asset freezes.