An alliance between Iran and Venezuela is a necessity at this point in time according to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Venezuelan officials said here Wednesday, AFP reported.
The Iranian leader made the comment during a visit to Tehran by Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro, the foreign ministry said.
"Collaboration between revolutionary nations like Iran and Venezuela is necessary during this period of time," Ahmadinejad in a statement, calling for bilateral ties to be expanded.
Maduro left for Tehran on Monday to prepare Ahmadinejad's upcoming to Venezuela, Iran's main ally in Latin America. The exact date has not been announced yet, but the Iranian leader is due to visit Brazil on November 23.
A previous trip in May was cancelled due to the June 12 disputed Iranian presidential elections, won by Ahmadinejad.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez visited Iran in September and voiced support for Iran's nuclear program, which Israel and Western nations fear is a covert grab to build a nuclear weapon, charges Tehran hotly denies.
Venezuela and Iran have signed several cooperation accords in recent years, including in politics, finance, defense and technology.