Iran Dismisses Claims of Diplomats, Companies Leaving Venezuela

Speaking to reporters at his weekly press conference on Monday, Spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry Esmaeil Baqaei dismissed claims about Iranian diplomats and companies pulling out of Venezuela.

Baqaei said the reports are absolutely untrue, noting that Iran’s ambassador and embassy staff are seriously engaged in carrying out their duties and that the Iranian embassy in Venezuela is very active.

He added that claims about the exit of an Iranian company are also inaccurate, explaining that the original report dates back to a year ago and has since been misrepresented.

Addressing developments in Venezuela more broadly, the spokesman said there is a global concern regarding the situation, describing it as a test for the international normative system.

He stressed that actions being taken by the United States in the Caribbean are in contradiction to all international norms, adding that American officials have openly stated they are seeking Venezuela’s oil./tasnim