Maduro: Venezuela seeks higher level of cooperation with Iran

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro says his country wants to achieve a higher level of cooperation with Iran.

Maduro, who arrived in Tehran on Friday at the head of a high-ranking politico-economic delegation, made the remarks in an exclusive interview with Iran's Spanish-language television channel Hispan TV.

Venezuela and Iran are on the frontline of shaping a world free of imperialism and dominant powers, Maduro said.

The era of the United States' military dominance of the world is over, the Venezuelan president stated.

Venezuela and Iran should share knowledge in all fields to create a new world, Maduro said, underscoring the fact that humanity is transitioning and a‎ new geopolitical system would be established in the world.

‘Iran was courageous enough to send fuel tankers to Venezuela’

The president hailed Iran's courageous move to send fuel tankers to his energy-hungry nation, saying Tehran's delivery of oil to Caracas was great help to the Venezuelan people.

Iran sent fuel to Venezuela despite US sanctions and threats, Maduro stated.

Iran and Venezuela have managed to withstand economic pressure from the United States, and have closely cooperated to offset the impact of illegal sanctions, particularly those targeting their energy sectors.

Iran has supplied fuel shipments and equipment needed in crude refineries to Venezuela in the face of US pressure on the country's shipping and trade services. Venezuela has also received major shipments of condensate, a diluent of heavy oil, from Iran.

Oil industry analysts said in January that Venezuela had doubled its oil production thanks to Iran's help in defiance of US sanctions against Caracas.

The Venezuelan oil production reached an estimated average of 900,000 barrels per day (bpd) in December and could reach 850,000 bpd in January, oil industry sources told the Miami Herald. 

Venezuelan oil experts confirmed the significant growth in the country’s production, underlining that the Iranian naphtha is essential for the government in Caracas to be able to sell crude from the Orinoco Oil Belt, which needs to be diluted to be sold on world markets.

‘Venezuela wants higher level of cooperation with Iran’

Elsewhere in his interview, President Maduro said Venezuela and Iran have enjoyed brotherly ties for decades, reiterating his country's resolve to achieve a higher level of cooperation with Tehran.

He said Caracas and Tehran have revolutionary backgrounds and they have always supported one another in hard times. 

Maduro also stated that the two countries are working to expand cooperation in tourism sector and establish direct flights between Caracas and Tehran.

He said Venezuela welcomes and invites investments from Iran, noting that a delegation, which is currently accompanying him, aims to find ways to improve relations.

Venezuela and Iran would open a new era in mutual relations, Maduro stated.

He said many companies are willing to work in Venezuela, which by itself vindicates the fact that resisting the US sanctions will eventually bear fruit.

‘Need to be well-informed about war of sanctions’

The Venezuelan president underscored the need to well inform the Iranian and Venezuelan nations about the war of sanctions and find ways to counter them with steadfastness.

Maduro said Caracas and Tehran have shaped the strategy of resistance economy and are working to expand it. He said the incorporation of people in the governments' efforts is among key strategies to counter sanctions.

‘Palestine humanity’s most sacred cause’

The Venezuelan president described Palestine as the most sacred cause of humanity. Maduro said the history of Palestine is admirable since people with different religions have lived there in peace.

Maduro censured the international community for remaining silent on the Israeli regime's atrocities against the Palestinian people, emphasizing that Venezuela and Iran would continue to support the Palestinian struggle against the Israeli occupation.

SS