Iran, Venezuela to deepen relations in face of plots: ambassador

TEHRAN, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan Ambassador to Iran DavidN. Velasquez Caraballo said here Sunday that Iran and Venezuela are determined to broaden mutual and regional cooperation in the face of plots, the official IRNA news agency reported.

As the two nations are the target of global hegemony, it requires both Iran and Venezuela to further deepen all-out relations and cooperation, Caraballo told IRNA.

"History is a good evidence that the U.S. has always pursued sinister goals across the globe such as in Latin America and Asian continent and that is why they are now masterminding various plots in Venezuela, Iraq, Afghanistan and Iran," he was quoted as saying.

Setting up new military bases in the Latin America, masterminding coup in Honduras and weakening Venezuelan government are among denounced U.S. policies in that region, the ambassador said.

On Iran's nuclear activities, he said "We believe that constructive talks between Iran and the UN Security Council members proved that Tehran has adopted transparent cooperation with global community and that there is nothing to hide from world public opinion," according to the report.

"We believe that Tehran uses enriched uranium for medical purposes as well as generation of electricity for civilian use," he said, adding that therefore "Venezuela strongly condemns any sanction against Iran."

Louis Mayta, first secretary for energy affairs of Venezuelan Embassy in Tehran, said earlier in October that Tehran and Caracas have inked a deal on daily supplies of 20,000 barrels of gasoline to Iran with the quality at international levels.

It came amid the threat by Western countries to impose gas sanctions on Iran over its defiance to comply with the UN resolutions to halt its disputed nuclear activities.

Venezuela has developed strong ties with the government of Iran, in particular in energy production, economic, and industrial cooperation.