TEHRAN - Iranian Government spokesman Ali Rabiyee has underlined good relations and cooperation between Tehran and Caracas in different fields, including military arenas, but reiterated that the two countries’ ties are not meant to harm any third party.
“There is nothing abnormal in the friendly and traditional relations between Iran and Venezuela, and the Islamic Republic of Iran considers its inalienable right to establish friendly relations with all nations of the world in accordance with international laws and regulations in all economic, political, cultural and military dimensions to strengthen mutual cooperation and international peace,” Rabiyee told reporters in a press conference in Tehran.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran’s Naval vessels have always had positive and successful operations in the region and surrounding areas for peaceful purposes, including fighting against pirates and smugglers and protecting the environment,” he added.
“Our relations with Venezuela are not against any third country and there is no reason to worry about these relations. Using the word provocative to describe these relations is a wrong and pessimistic choice and does not reflect our real intention to have constructive relations with all nations of the world, including Venezuela,” Rabiyee said.
His remarks came after the Politico magazine reported that “the U.S. national security community is monitoring two Iranian naval vessels whose ultimate destination may be Venezuela”.
“An Iranian frigate and the Makran, a former oil tanker that was converted to a floating forward staging base, have been heading South along the East coast of Africa,” it quoted three people familiar with the situation as saying.