Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi saluted the people of Venezuela and Latin America, who were able to achieve their independence through their struggle against the Western hegemonic agenda led by the United States.

During an interview for the Caracas-based TeleSUR news outlet, the Iranian President hailed the region's nations that sought their independence and sovereignty despite threats and pressure.

"Washington used to consider Latin America as its backyard," Raisi said, adding that this has changed now thanks to the spirit of the people.

Read more: Venezuela, Iran sign several agreements covering multiple sectors

"Since the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, there has been good chemistry between Latin American and Iranian people," he said, adding, "The relationship between Iran and Latin America has been strengthened after the Islamic Revolution, and there are common interests and goals between the two parties."

He explained, "Iran's relationship with Venezuela is good in various fields, and there is a high potential to develop it," noting that "President Maduro's visit to Tehran strengthened it."

The Iranian President praised the Venezuelan, Latin American, and Bolivarian heroes, stressing on "the friendship between partners, especially in these difficult times."

He pointed out that "the sanctions imposed by the United States came after it got drained of waging [millitar] wars against these countries" and that the sanctions are part of the same war but in a different form with the aim of subjugating the people of Latin America.

Raisi said that through the "development of relations between countries subjected to US sanctions, these sanctions will be confronted, and thus we will nullify their effects."

The President emphasized that the Americans were looking for their interests by plundering Venezuelan oil reserves, so they sought to consolidate their hegemony in Latin America.

#ENVIVO | Presidente de Irán, Ebrahim Raisi, El espíritu del pueblo de esta zona para buscar independencia, soberanía, es admirable para nosotros. pic.twitter.com/YU101Cl13Q

— teleSUR TV (@teleSURtv) June 14, 2023

"Iran has been preserving its independence for 44 years, and we did not allow the Islamic Republic to be subdued. We do not oppress anyone, and we will never accept that they oppress us. Our will is to enjoy economic prosperity and growth."

Read more: Iran turned US threats, sanctions into opportunities: Raisi

Raisi added, "It is a war of wills; the will of the people who want to be independent, in the face of a dominant system that wants to subjugate everyone."

"Why does America not believe in democracy? The Venezuelan people elected their government and leadership, so why don't you [US] respect the people's vote?" he questioned.

Giving an example of how the West does not hold up to its obligations, Raisi said that "the inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed more than 15 times that Iran had fulfilled its nuclear obligations, but the Americans did not respect that, nor did the Europeans."

"Iran is the only country that has fulfilled its obligations," he said, stressing the peaceful nature of Iranian nuclear activities.

Raisi confirmed that "the axis of evil must be put to an end."

"We will build a multipolar world through cooperation with Latin, Islamic, and independent countries to establish an international system for the benefit of [the] people."

Earlier today, the Iranian President arrived in Cuba, the final stop of a trip he started earlier this week to three Latin American countries, including Venezuela and Nicaragua.

Read more: exclusive interview with Raisi: Iran ready to join BRICS