US actions against Venezuela endanger global, regional peace: Araghchi
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has expressed Iran’s solidarity with the Venezuelan people and government amid the United States’ “illegal” maritime attacks and threats to use force against the South American country, saying Washington’s hostile conducts endanger world peace.
Araghchi was speaking during a telephone conversation with his Venezuelan counterpart, Yván Gil Pinto, on Sunday, one day after the US seized a second oil tanker off Venezuela’s coast, escalating tensions between Washington and Caracas.
He denounced the US actions undermining maritime security in the Caribbean Sea and its threats to use force against Venezuela as a flagrant breach of core principles of international law and the UN Charter.
He also reaffirmed Iran’s support for the people and the legitimately elected government of Venezuela.
The top Iranian diplomat further stressed the duty of the international community to resolutely confront illegal and unilateral US actions that “endanger peace and stability in the region and the world.”
Meanwhile, Araghchi highlighted strong Iran-Venezuela relations in various sectors, saying both nations are resolved to strengthen and expand ties in pursuit of mutual interests.
The Venezuelan foreign minister, for his part, appreciated Iran’s principled stance of solidarity with his country in the face of illegal and coercive US measures.
He also noted that Venezuelans are determined to defend their national sovereignty and independence in the face of US pressure.
The two sides stressed the importance of enhancing bilateral and multilateral coordination and cooperation in global forums to counter unilateralism and to defend the national sovereignty of states.
In the past few months, the US has mounted its pressure campaign on Venezuela that has included moving thousands of troops and a carrier strike group into the Caribbean, conducting lethal strikes on suspected drug boats, and repeating threats against President Nicolas Maduro.
The US has further enforced a blockade of oil tankers transiting Venezuela and seized two vessels off the country’s coast.
Caracas says Washington is seeking a “regime change” in Venezuela with the ultimate goal of stealing the country’s oil wealth.
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