According to Khabaronline, an Iranian news agency, Speaking on Monday, January 5, 2026, Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated: “Our relationship with any country, including Venezuela, is based on mutual respect and interests, and this will remain the foundation of our relations going forward.” He added that Iran’s claims and financial assets in Venezuela are still being pursued, noting that relevant institutions, including the Central Bank and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance, have been following the matter seriously for some time.
These remarks came after U.S. military forces carried out what Iran has described as a “violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty and territorial integrity” early on Saturday, January 3, during which Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were reportedly detained and transferred to the United States. In response, Iran’s Foreign Ministry immediately reviewed the situation of Iranian nationals residing in Venezuela.
Baghaei said Iran’s embassy in Caracas has remained in direct contact with local authorities and confirmed that Iranian citizens are safe. He added that the embassy is fully prepared to provide any necessary consular assistance.
At the same time, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi told a session of Iran’s parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission that the Iranian embassy in Venezuela remains operational, with the ambassador and staff continuing their work and the situation being closely monitored. According to Araghchi, no problems involving Iranian nationals have been reported so far.
The Foreign Ministry spokesperson also confirmed that Araghchi held a phone call with his Venezuelan counterpart, Yván Gil Pinto, stressing that Iran is carefully monitoring developments and will take any steps deemed necessary to protect its national interests and its citizens abroad.
Iran’s latest position suggests that while Tehran strongly condemns the U.S. action, it is seeking to preserve its relations with Venezuela within a pragmatic and diplomatic framework—an approach that international observers may view as an effort to separate security crises from broader bilateral political and economic relations.
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