Americas

Iran, Venezuela hail close ties against US

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-07-03 01:58

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad hailed the brotherhood between his country and Venezuela on Monday, pledging the two nations would resist against "bullying and expansionist powers", which clearly referred to the United States.

Speaking at a joint press conference with his Venezuelan counterpart Hugo Chavez in southern Iran, Ahmadinejad viewed the two countries' relations as profound, extensive, durable and brotherly and described Chavez as a revolutionary and decisive man.

He noted that cooperation, solidarity and unity of Iran and Venezuela serve the interests of both nations, underlining that " there resides no impediment to the expansion of the two countries' relations."

"Iran views mightiness and progress of Venezuela as those of our own ... the two governments and nations are moving on the path of construction hand in hand and with maximum power and strength," said the Iranian president.

The two countries, severally locate in the Gulf and the Caribbean, also reiterated their "anti-American alliance" during Chavez's visit.

"Viva Iran and Venezuela and all revolutionary nations and death to the enemies," Ahmadinejad said.

"For those who are upset with the friendship of nations, we have just one sentence which is, if you are angry with the nations ' friendship, go die of this anger and sadness," he added.

Ahmadinejad and Chavez were in Iran's southern port city of Assaluyeh to inaugurate a construction of a joint petrochemical plant.

The two nations on Monday also signed three cooperation agreements in oil and energy sectors to further cement their already solid ties and bolster cooperation.

Chavez arrived in Tehran late Saturday for a two-day visit which officials said was aimed at boosting political and economic cooperation between the two countries.

This is Chavez's third visit to Iran since Iranian President Ahmadinejad took office in 2005.