Iranian supertanker carrying condensate docks in Venezuela, in defiance of US sanctions |

CARACAS, Venezuela-

An Iran-flagged supertanker carrying more than two million barrels of condensate has docked at a Venezuelan port, with both countries facing US sanctions, according to analysts and satellite images.

The arrival of the oil tanker Starla comes as negotiations continue in Vienna over the Islamic Republic's tattered nuclear deal with world powers, which allowed for oil sales. In 2018, the US unilaterally withdrew from the accord under then President Donald Trump, sparking years of tensions across the wider Mideast which continue today.

The Starla arrived off the coast of Barcelona, Venezuela, in late January. A satellite photo analysed by AP from Planet Labs PBC showed the vessel there Sunday and corresponded to other images of the vessel and its helipad.

Its dimensions also matched those of the Starla, which is owned by National Iranian Tanker Co. The US Treasury sanctioned the company in October 2020, saying it helped fund the expeditionary Quds Force of Iran's paramil....