Maduro: Iran, Venezuela seek closer cooperation in fight against imperial aggression

  In a tweet on Wednesday, Maduro said he held a phone conversation with Iranian President-elect Ebrahim Raeisi. “We agreed to strengthen our brotherly ties and cooperation to advance in the joint fight against imperial aggression against our peoples,” Maduro said. Raeisi was elected Iran’s eighth president after he garnered almost 62 percent of the votes in the June 18 election. He will succeed President Hassan Rouhani, who has served two four-year terms in office. The election was held amid an ear-splitting political and media campaign by the United States as well as its Western and regional allies trying to portray the vote as “undemocratic.” Many world leaders, senior foreign officials, prominent figures, and regional resistance leaders have so far offered congratulations on Raeisi’s victory in the presidential election. On Saturday, Maduro and Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza welcomed the election of Raeisi as the next Iranian president during the “impeccable and democratic development,” referring to the election. In a post on his Twitter account, Maduro said, “I extend my congratulations to the Iranian people and to Seyyed Ebrahim Raeisi, the newly elected President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. We will continue united, working for peace and the strengthening of our cooperation and brotherhood.” Arreaza also released a statement in support of the Iranian government and nation. Iran and Venezuela have been the target of harsh economic sanctions imposed by the US, which frowns upon the independence-seeking policies pursued by the governments in Tehran and Caracas. Braving the American sanctions and threats, however, the two nations have kept up their trans-continental trade ties, much to the dismay of the US.