Venezuela summons Iranian ambassador over foreign minister’s remarks

Caracas, July 29 (SANA)  Venezuela’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday summoned Iran’s ambassador to Caracas and handed him a formal diplomatic protest over what it described as “offensive and inappropriate” remarks by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi targeting Venezuela’s institutions and authorities.

In a statement posted on X, the ministry reaffirmed Venezuela‘s commitment to the principles governing relations between states, including mutual respect, sovereign equality, non-interference in internal affairs, and adherence to international law. It said these principles have consistently formed the foundation of relations between Venezuela and Iran.

The Venezuelan authorities did not specify the remarks that prompted the protest. However, according to a video circulating online, Araghchi said during remarks about negotiations with the United States that Iran “is not Venezuela.”

The diplomatic protest comes amid signs of cooling ties between Caracas and Tehran, coinciding with Venezuela’s renewed diplomatic contacts with Washington after years of estrangement. Observers say the development could influence the trajectory of the longstanding partnership between the two countries.
R.D/RK