In a meeting with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Saturday afternoon, Ayatollah Khamenei deemed Venezuela’s courageous persistence in its fight against imperialism and the Zionist regime as well as its strategic influence in the region as the reasons behind the hegemony’s hostility toward Caracas, asserting that “absolute policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran is expansion of full-scale cooperation with Venezuela.”
Ayatollah Khamenei honored the memory of the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez describing him as ‘a good friend of Iran;’ the Leader pointed to close ties of the two countries and admired continuation of the mutual ties during President Maduro’s term which was marked by “brave resistance against difficulties and external conspiracies.”
The Leader dubbed ‘peculiar’ drop in oil prices in short time a politically-motivated and non-economic move and added that “our common enemies are taking advantage of oil as a political leverage and certainly play role in price falls.
Regarding agreements made between the two countries for coordinated response to plummeting oil prices, Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized that the two sides should improve current level of investment and trade exchange to meet the expectations.
Ayatollah Khamenei praised Caracas’ stance in regard to regional and international issues and asserted that “Latin American countries are Venezuela’s strategic depth and the country’s ideals have awakened those nations which is the reason for US enmity with Venezuelan government and nation.”
Meanwhile, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution pointed to admirable position of Caracas during 51-day war on Gaza and stated that “the Zionist regime is detested by the whole world, particularly regional nations, and your brave stance made many friends for you among the nations.”
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, for his part, expressed gratitude for Iran’s supports and aids and said “Mr. Chavez referred to your directions and guidance in his words with special respect for Iran’s nation and stance; like him, we also consider Iran our home.”
Maduro deemed mutual trust between the two countries as a valuable asset and called for boost of ties in all fields.
President Nicolás Maduro arrived in Tehran for talks with Iranian officials on Friday night and was officially received by President Hassan Rouhani on Saturday morning.
R111/112/C