The Leader of the Islamic Republic has hailed Venezuela's stance.
In a meeting with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Saturday afternoon, Ayatollah Khamenei deemed Venezuela's courageous persistence in its fight against imperialism and Israel as well as its strategic influence in the region as the reasons behind the hegemony's hostility toward Caracas, asserting that "absolute policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran is expansion of full-scale cooperation with Venezuela."
Ayatollah Khamenei honored the memory of the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez describing him as 'a good friend of Iran;' the Leader pointed to close ties of the two countries and admired continuation of the mutual ties during President Maduro's term which was marked by "brave resistance against difficulties and external conspiracies."
The Leader dubbed 'peculiar' drop in oil prices in short time a politically-motivated and non-economic move and added that "our common enemies are taking advantage of oil as a political leverage and certainly play role in price falls.
Regarding agreements made between the two countries for coordinated response to plummeting oil prices, Ayat. Khamenei emphasized that the two sides should improve current level of investment and trade exchange to meet the expectations.
Ayatollah Khamenei praised Caracas' stance in regard to regional and international issues and asserted that "Latin American countries are Venezuela's strategic depth and the country's ideals have awakened those nations which is the reason for US enmity with Venezuelan government and nation."
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, for his part, expressed gratitude for Iran's supports and aids and said "Mr. Chavez referred to your directions and guidance in his words with special respect for Iran's nation and stance; like him, we also consider Iran our home."
Maduro deemed mutual trust between the two countries as a valuable asset and called for boost of ties in all fields.
President Nicolás Maduro arrived in Tehran for talks with Iranian officials on Friday night and was officially received by President Hassan Rouhani on Saturday morning.