Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has condemned what he described as the United States’ “bullying approach” towards Venezuela, a statement confirmed on Wednesday.
The remarks come as former US President Donald Trump intensifies pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, accusing him of overseeing a drug cartel.
The US has deployed the world’s largest aircraft carrier to the Caribbean, accompanied by a flotilla of warships, officially citing anti-drug operations targeting Venezuela. In addition, Washington has conducted around 20 airstrikes against vessels suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, resulting in over 80 fatalities.
Venezuelan authorities claim that the US anti-drug campaign is a pretext to undermine Maduro’s government and seize control of the country’s oil reserves. During a phone call with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto, Araghchi criticized the United States, describing its threats to use military force as a “gross violation” of the UN Charter.
Trump has also authorized covert CIA operations in Venezuela while reiterating that he has not ruled out a direct military intervention. These moves further escalate tensions between Washington and Caracas, both of which have been subject to longstanding US sanctions.
Iran and Venezuela maintain close diplomatic ties. Maduro visited Iran in 2022, signing a 20-year cooperation agreement, while in 2023, then-President Ebrahim Raisi traveled to Caracas as part of a regional tour including Cuba and Nicaragua. These visits have reinforced the strategic alliance between the two countries amid US pressure.
The ongoing dispute highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics in Latin America, with Iran openly challenging US actions in the region and supporting Venezuela’s resistance to foreign intervention. The situation remains tense as both sides continue to assert their positions.