Reuters - Venezuela�s military will escort Iranian tankers delivering fuel to the gasoline-starved nation as soon as they enter the South American country�s exclusive economic zone, defense minister Vladimir Padrino said on Wednesday.

Padrino said in a state television interview that the escort would �welcome them in and thank the Iranian people for their solidarity and cooperation,� adding the Venezuelan government had been in contact with the Iranian defense minister.

Reporting by Vivian Sequera and Deisy Buitrago; Writing by Luc Cohen; Editing by Chris Reese