Iran Backs Venezuela's Sovereignty 'in the Face of U.S. Bullying', Calls on South American Countries to 'Take a Firm Stance'

Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed on Sunday that the country's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and his Venezuelan counterpart Yván Gil Pinto held a phone conversation to discuss bilateral relations and recent U.S. activities in the Caribbean region.

According to a statement published on the Ministry's official website, the Iranian Ministry condemned what it labeled as "unilateral and bullying actions of the US against other countries" referring to recent actions taken by the Trump administration agains Venezuela which include the deployment of military forces off the country's coast.

"Threatening to use force against other independent developing nations is a clear violation of the UN Charter and a serious threat to international peace and security," reads the statement by the Ministry, adding that "it is essential that all responsible governments, recognizing the gravity of the current situation, prevent the spread of lawlessness and insecurity."

According to the statement Gil explained that "the government and people of Venezuela, with strong determination, will defend their independence, national sovereignty, and right to self-determination." He also called on BRICS member states and other South American countries to condemn U.S. actions.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro urged the U.S. on Friday to to "abandon its plan for a violent regime change in Venezuela and all of Latin America and the Caribbean" adding that "The U.S. must respect the sovereignty, right to peace and independence of our countries."

The U.S. military killed 11 people on Tuesday in a strike on a vessel from Venezuela allegedly carrying illegal narcotics, President Donald Trump said, in the first known operation since his administration's deployment of warships to the southern Caribbean.

According to reports by CNN, U.S., officials have discussed multiple options for military action against Venezuela, including targeted strikes. When asked on Sunday if his administration is planning to launch strikes agains drug cartels in Venezuelan soil, Trump responded by saying "you're going to find out:"