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Iran-Venezuela cooperation

Venezuela’s president, who is visiting Iran, says Tehran and Caracas are at the forefront of the campaign against colonialism and imperialism. Nicolas Maduro remarked in an exclusive interview with Iran’s Spanish language news channel HispanTV. Maduro also said his country will sign a 20-year cooperation plan with Iran. He announced the opening of a weekly flight from Caracas to Tehran. He added that the two countries have supported one another in hard times. He said it was indeed courageous of Iran to send oil to Venezuela despite US sanctions and threats. Maduro also talked about the Palestinian cause, calling it humanity’s most sacred struggle now. The Venezuelan president arrived in Tehran on Friday for a two-day visit.

Israel attacks Syria

Iran has strongly condemned the latest Israeli missile strikes on the Syrian capital Damascus, vowing to stand by the country’s government and people. Iran’s foreign minister says the Israeli attacks against Syrian infrastructure are illegal under international law and violate the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian also says the silence of the international community and regional organizations on the issue is regrettable and shameful. He made the comments in a phone call with his Syrian counterpart. Faisal Mikdad also said Israel's hasty acts of aggression are a sign of its fear and weakness. Mikdad said the regime vainly seeks to prop up remnants of terrorist groups in Syria. He said, however, that Israeli attacks strengthen the resolve of the Syrian government and nation to fight occupation and terrorism.

Lebanon maritime tensions

Lebanon says the presence of an Israeli drilling platform in disputed waters is a violation of the country’s sovereignty and a clear act of aggression against it. The comments were made by the head of Lebanon’s technical military delegation in maritime border negotiations with the Israel regime. In an interview with Iran’s al-Alam news network, Bassam Yassin said Lebanon had been monitoring the Israeli ship since it set sail from Singapore until it reached Palestinian waters. The Israeli floating gas production unit arrived in the disputed maritime zone between Israel and Lebanon at the weekend. It prompted furious reactions from the Lebanese government, with Prime Minister Najib Mikati warning of an escalation. Lebanon’s resistance movement Hezbollah also says it is ready to take action, including the use of force, against Israeli gas operations. Lebanon and Israel, which have no diplomatic relations, have been holding indirect talks brokered by the US for close to two years to resolve their maritime border dispute.

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