Iran accuses US of ‘bullying’ Venezuela with anti-drug campaign

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi slammed what he called the United States’ “bullying approach” towards Venezuela, a statement said Wednesday, as US President Donald Trump ramps up pressure on the leader of the South American country.

The United States has deployed the world’s largest aircraft carrier to the Caribbean, accompanied by a flotilla of warships, officially for anti-drug operations targeting Venezuela.

It has also conducted some 20 airstrikes against suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, killing over 80 people.

Venezuela claims that the US anti-drug campaign in the region is a pretext to overthrow Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and seize the country’s oil reserves.

During a call with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto, Araghchi lambasted the US, calling its threats to use force a “gross violation” of the UN Charter.

Trump has repeatedly accused Maduro of overseeing a drug cartel.

The US president has also authorized the use of covert CIA operations in the Latin American country, while reiterating that he has not ruled out ordering a military intervention there.

Both Iran and Venezuela have long been under US sanctions.

Maduro last visited Iran in 2022, when the two allies signed a 20-year cooperation agreement.

The following year, Iran’s then-president Ebrahim Raisi traveled to Caracas during a tour of Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela.