Iran condemns US attack on Venezuela as ‘blatant violation’ of sovereignty

By Rania Abu Shamala

ISTANBUL (AA) - Iran has strongly condemned the US attack on Venezuela, describing it as a “blatant violation” of the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“The US military attack on Venezuela constitutes a clear violation of the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and the basic rules of international law, particularly Article 2, Paragraph 4 of the Charter, which prohibits the use of force,” the Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Saturday.

It “condemned the United States’ military aggression against Venezuela and the blatant violation of the country’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” it went on.

The attack is “a textbook example of an act of aggression that must be explicitly condemned immediately by the United Nations and by all states concerned with upholding the rule of law, peace, and international security,” the statement added.

The ministry also reaffirmed Venezuela’s “inherent right to defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and right to self-determination.”

It emphasized the legal and moral responsibility of all states and international organizations, particularly the UN Security Council, to act immediately to halt what it described as “illegal US aggression” and to ensure accountability for those responsible for planning and carrying out the attacks.

US President Donald Trump has confirmed that his forces conducted a “large scale strike against Venezuela,” claiming President Nicolas Maduro has been captured and flown from the country.

Earlier, Venezuela’s government accused the US of attacking civilian and military installations in multiple states, and declared ‌a national ‌emergency.