Liberman claims Venezuela helps fund Iran’s nuclear program

Venezuela is helping to fund Iran’s nuclear program in return for the promise of sharing in future military development, Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman claimed on Tuesday.

Liberman was quoted by Israel Radio as making the comments during a meeting with Costa Rican First Vice President Alfio Piva Mesen. The foreign minister did not say on what information he had based his assertion.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is a staunch supporter of Iran and its controversial President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The two met last week in Caracas, where they pledged to “fight imperialism” together.

Ahmadinejad made an official visit to Latin America earlier this year, in an effort to raise Iran’s profile there and to drum up contracts for new trade.