Iran Strengthens Alliance with Venezuela Amid Sanctions and Controversy

Iran has deepened its strategic partnership with Nicolás Maduro’s regime in Venezuela following allegations of fraudulent 2024 elections. This alliance challenges U.S. and Western sanctions, highlighting growing cooperation between two isolated regimes.

In November 2024, Iranian officials, including Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, visited Caracas for the 10th Joint Commission on Iran-Venezuela Economic Cooperation.

During the meeting with Maduro and Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, both nations signed agreements, including a visa exemption memorandum and a pact to transfer technology and train Venezuelans in artificial intelligence.

Maduro praised Iran as a “scientific and technological powerhouse” for its resilience against external pressures. Nasirzadeh underscored their shared struggle against Western sanctions, describing their alliance as one of “friends and brothers navigating together.”

The partnership includes Iran’s military presence at Venezuela’s El Libertador Air Base, where it operates a drone manufacturing facility. The base trains Venezuelan personnel to use advanced drones like the Mohajer-6 and Shahed-131, which have been deployed in conflicts such as Russia’s war in Ukraine and by militant groups in the Middle East.

Venezuela’s Role in Helping Iran Evade Sanctions

Beyond military ties, Venezuela helps Iran evade sanctions through a gold-for-oil scheme. Iran supplies fuel to Venezuela in exchange for gold bars, which are smuggled into markets like Turkey via Mahan Air flights between Caracas and Tehran.

Intelligence reports suggest proceeds from these operations may fund Iran’s Quds Force, an elite unit of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps linked to groups like Hezbollah and Hamas.

Maduro has also offered asylum guarantees to Iranian officials facing potential crises in Tehran. This assurance was reportedly extended during a 2022 visit by representatives of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Iran’s ambassador to Venezuela, Hojat Soltani, has coordinated Tehran’s influence across sectors like oil, defense, and technology. The growing military presence and financial operations challenge Western efforts to contain Tehran’s influence.

In response, U.S. President Donald Trump recently intensified sanctions targeting Iran’s trade networks and financial activities tied to the Quds Force.