Zarif Reaffirms Iran’s Support for Venezuela Government

On Friday, Zarif held a telephone conversation with his Venezuelan counterpart Jorge Arreaza, during which he expressed Tehran’s support for Venezuela’s government and nation in the face of US plots.

The two diplomats also discussed ways to counter the US’ moves against independent governments, especially the Venezuelan government, at the international level.

Zarif and Arreaza further talked about a recent offer by the governments of Mexico and Uruguay to mediate in the dispute, other methods of strengthening national dialogue, and political solutions for settling the conflict between the Venezuelan government and the opposition groups.

According to the Foreign Ministry’s website, Zarif will keep holding talks with the countries that share views with Tehran about the developments in Venezuela.

Venezuela has plunged into political crisis after Juan Guaido, the leader of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, declared himself interim president on Wednesday.

Shortly after Guaido took an oath swearing himself in before his supporters, US President Donald Trump recognized him as the country's leader. In response, Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro broke off diplomatic ties with the US and gave American diplomats 72 hours to get out of his country.

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