Iran denounces interference in Venezuela, wishes Maduro success in third term

Iran's president threw his weight behind what he called the legitimate government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro who won re-election in a controversial vote last September.

Masoud Pezeshkian congratulated Maduro on his third term as Venezuela's president and wished him success.

"Iran supports legitimate government of Venezuela and is ready to strengthen mutual relations. We believe, any foreign interference and attempts to threaten and sanction Venezuela are doomed to failure," he said in a post on his X account.

Maduro, who has led Venezuela for nearly 12 years amidst severe economic and social turmoil, was sworn in for a third term on Friday.

His inauguration followed a contentious six-month-long electoral dispute, international pressure urging him to step down and an increased US bounty for his capture to $25 million for alleged narco-terrorism.

In office since 2013, Maduro was proclaimed the victor of July's election by Venezuela's electoral authority and supreme court, though no comprehensive vote counts validating his win have been released.

Venezuela's opposition says ballot-level results demonstrate a decisive victory for its candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, who has been recognized as the president-elect by several nations, including the United States.

International election observers have criticized the election, saying it did not meet democratic standards.