Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro described the country’s relationship with Iran as “indestructible,” after signing a 20-year cooperation agreement with his counterpart Ebrahim Raisi in Tehran. He pledged Venezuela’s “full support and cooperation” in establishing a new world order of “equality and justice,” saying they will together “stand up to imperialism,” in a clear reference to the United States and its Western allies.
Referring to the difficulties caused by Western sanctions since 2017, Maduro and Raisi celebrated how their “resistance” has forced the “enemy to retreat.”
In a joint press conference on Saturday, Raisi hailed Venezuela as a “role model of resistance and steadfastness against the threats and and sanctions of enemies and imperialism,” noting that the US’ ‘maximum pressure’ campaign has “failed miserably.”
The Venezuelan govt and nation’s victorious fight against the US and its all-out hybrid war on #Venezuela, plus Mr. Maduro & the Venezuelan nation’s resistance, are invaluable.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 11, 2022
Resistance raises a nation’s & its leaders’ status & esteem. The US views Venezuela differently today.
This mutual appreciation was echoed by Maduro in an interview with Telesur on Friday, wherein he stated that the two nations “have recognised each other as partners in the struggle for a better world, for a world of peace, for a world without hegemonic domination” pointing to Iran’s ability to turn the 2018 US “sanctions into an opportunity for the country’s progress.”
Likewise, Raisi noted that Venezuela has “overcome” hyperinflation and is now seeing economic growth.
Maduro thus said that Venezuela and Iran are “at the forefront of the emergence of the new geopolitics,” following the “decline of the cycle of US domination over the rest of humanity.”
He referred to Iran’s decision to deliver fuel and repair multiple Venezuelan refineries since 2020 as the true reflection of their “brotherly relationship,” as a combination of the pandemic and sanctions obstructed Caracas from buying the supplies required to refine crude oil.
Con Irán hemos llegado al año 2022, en mejores condiciones, más preparados y fuertes, para seguir uniendo fuerzas, siempre en pro del desarrollo compartido. Con gran fe y esperanza decimos: los tiempos que vienen serán mejores. pic.twitter.com/8267vCEkxe
— Nicolás Maduro (@NicolasMaduro) June 12, 2022
“No company dared to come to our country for fear of US persecution,” Maduro said, adding, “The Iranian captains had the courage to navigate despite all the irrationality of the Empire. They showed that brothers are ready to help each other when necessary.”
In keeping with this bonhomie, the two leaders on Saturday signed a 20-year “cooperation road map” that expands bilateral cooperation in fields of petrochemicals, oil, defence, agriculture, trade, science and technology, tourism, culture, and diplomacy. Furthermore, they elevated bilateral ties to the strategic level and established direct flights between Tehran and Caracas from July 18.
We welcome the signing of the 20-year Document of Cooperation between #Iran & #Venezuela. The cooperation between the Islamic Republic of Iran & the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela should become stronger & relations closer than before.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 11, 2022
While details on the cooperation deal have yet to be revealed, Maduro noted that Venezuela will turn to Iran for its “technical” expertise. Meanwhile, noting that 70% of Iran is “dry land,” he said that Iranian technology can be used to boost agricultural production in Venezuela, noting, “Venezuela has 33 million hectares of arable land and enough water to produce agricultural products.”
Caracas aims to boost domestic grain production while facilitating “food for export to Iran and all this region of Asia,” declared Maduro. He also invited Iranian supermarket chains to establish a presence in Venezuela.
“The 20-year cooperation document is testimony to the will of the two countries to develop ties,” Raisi said. Similarly, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said the two countries “have such close ties with no other country.”
Maduro’s visit also coincided with the delivery of the second out of the four Aframax oil tankers by the Iranian Marine Industrial Company (Sadra). The 113,000 ton tanker, with a capacity of 800,000 barrels, enables Venezuela to “achieve its goal of independence in maritime transport,” said Raisi. He added that it signifies the “efficiency of the policy of the economy of resistance” and shows that “the will and unity of the warrior and revolutionary nations and governments is stronger and more effective than Americans’ sanctions.”
Recibimos la entrega del Tanquero Yoraco, construido por la Empresa iraní Sadra, y por la clase obrera de PDVSA, con capacidad de 800 mil barriles. Estoy más que agradecido por la construcción de este moderno buque que refleja la capacidad industrial de la hermana nación de Irán. pic.twitter.com/Q445kx3WHO
— Nicolás Maduro (@NicolasMaduro) June 11, 2022
Hailing their enhanced partnership in integrating their supply chains, the duo stated that it exhibits a “good model for all developing and independent countries to see that great things can be done through cooperation and interaction.”
The two countries’ foreign ministers—Venezuela’s Carlos Faria and Iran’s Hossein Amir-Abdollahian—also met on Saturday, wherein they reiterated that “relations between the two countries are in the best condition.” Faria also echoed the Iranian position that “sanctions can create opportunities.”
In addition, the delegations from both nations—including a number of ministers—attended a joint meeting chaired by Maduro and Raisi in which the two sides exchanged views on avenues for cooperation in the political, economic, energy, scientific, and agricultural fields.
The visit also witnessed a meeting on Sunday between Venezuelan First Lady Cilia Flores Iranian Vice President for Woman and Family Affairs Ensiyeh Khazali, wherein the pair discussed the laws related to safeguarding women’s rights in the two countries.
Upon concluding the meetings and consultations, Maduro, accompanied by Ayatollah Raisi visited an exhibition in Tehran showcasing the capabilities and achievements of Iranian companies in fields of health, food security, oil, gas, and petrochemicals.
Visité el Complejo Industrial MAPNA Group, que aglutina 70 empresas iraníes. Quedé impresionado con los avances científicos y tecnológicos en áreas como la electricidad, petróleo y transporte. Irán es un ejemplo de cómo resistir y producir por el desarrollo de los pueblos. pic.twitter.com/gCOEPdLnFn
— Nicolás Maduro (@NicolasMaduro) June 12, 2022
This is Maduro’s second visit to Tehran and comes six years after his first trip. Following his exclusion from the 9th Americas Summit by the US, he has sought to expand strategic alliances. His visit to Iran was part of a broader regional outreach effort, and followed trips to Algeria and Turkey.
During his two-day visit to Iran, Maduro also voiced support for the Palestinian cause, denouncing the Israeli ‘occupation’ for “imprisoning, torturing, and killing” Palestinians.
He also denounced the Summit of the Americas, saying the meeting was a “bland meeting lacking in priorities” and said the US had “excluded itself from the general feeling of union.”