Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed strong backing for Venezuela’s sovereignty during a phone call with President Nicolas Maduro on Monday. He condemned US actions and pledged to deepen bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

The conversation highlights the tightening alliance between Tehran and Caracas amid escalating tensions with Washington, as both nations continue to face longstanding US sanctions.

Iran and Venezuela have been strengthening strategic ties, grounded in their shared opposition to US foreign policy. Pezeshkian’s remarks follow Iran’s recent criticism of American unilateralism at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, where Tehran condemned US threats and violations of international norms.

Pezeshkian stressed that Iran’s resilience in the face of US and Israeli pressure is rooted in “national unity and internal solidarity,” noting that such cohesion safeguards nations from foreign interference.

Echoing this sentiment, Maduro stated that Venezuela’s strength comes from the “unique solidarity between the government, the nation, and the armed forces.”

He added that the US has waged a psychological campaign and spread false narratives about Venezuela, while more than 8 million Venezuelans stand ready to resist foreign aggression.

The two leaders also discussed expanding diplomatic and economic ties, praising each other’s dedication to peace and national sovereignty.

Maduro slams US aggression, rejects 'humiliation' by American Empire

Earlier today, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro dismissed the US blockade as mere "tensions", instead labeling it an act of "aggression", defiantly rejecting what he termed the "humiliation by the American empire" and accusing the US of seeking to impose a subservient government on his nation.

During his weekly program, Maduro stated that the situation between Caracas and the United States is not one of simple tensions but is, in fact, a case of American aggression against his country.

He added that Washington aims to force a change in government and impose a model of what he called a subservient government dedicated to the interests of the American oligarchy. He emphasized that "no one shall humiliate Venezuela," rejecting the ambitions of the US empire.

Currently, eight US Navy vessels are allegedly engaged in counter-narcotics operations in Latin America, seven in the Caribbean, and one in the Pacific. Washington is also deploying 10 F-35 fighter jets to Puerto Rico as part of its efforts.

Trump vowed Friday that US forces would shoot down Venezuelan military aircraft if they threaten American assets. Meanwhile, critics noted that Washington’s strike against alleged cartel members without trial mirrors tactics used in the US “War on Terror.”

Hegseth and other officials have reiterated that such strikes against drug cartels will continue, as the Trump administration intensifies its campaign against Venezuela’s alleged role in hemispheric drug trafficking.

In response, Venezuela has mobilized, most recently deploying 25,000 armed forces to the border with Colombia and along the Caribbean coast in order to strengthen rapid response operations and safeguard Caracas' national security. 

Maduro previously warned that Venezuela would enter an "armed struggle" if attacked by the United States, maintaining that the country is open to dialogue but demands respect.