Dr. Ali Faramarzi. Photo: Venezuelanalysis.
An Iranian diplomat discusses the strategic ties between Tehran and Caracas, emphasizing shared anti-colonial visions and cooperation between the two countries.
Both Iran and Venezuela have stood firm for decades in defense of their sovereignty and self-determination in the face of relentless US aggression. From cultural collaboration to strategic cooperation in the energy sector, the ties between these countries have deepened since the beginning of the Bolivarian Process. In this interview, we speak with Dr. Ali Faramarzi, Cultural Attaché at the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Caracas and a researcher focused on Iranian history and culture, about the solidarity bonds between the two nations, their resistance to imperialism, and the promise of a multipolar world for the Global South.
As cultural attaché at the Iranian embassy in Venezuela, you are especially well-positioned to answer my first question: What do Iran and Venezuela have in common?
Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim [In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful]. Welcome to the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Despite their geographical distance, Venezuela and Iran are bound by profound cultural, political, and economic affinities. For more than 60 years, the two countries have maintained diplomatic relations, always based on mutual respect. With some governments, the relationship has been closer than with others, but overall, our ties have remained friendly and strong. Today, the relationship between Iran and Venezuela is one of deep cooperation and solidarity.
I would argue that there are four key elements that unite our peoples: First, both nations are proud of their history and culture. We study, defend, and cherish them. Second, both governments and their people reject imperialism. We do not accept foreign domination or interference. Third, both Venezuela and Iran respect all peoples and all nations, and we ask for the same in return. We do no harm unto others and demand that others do no harm unto us.
Finally, both the governments of Venezuela and Iran and their peoples believe in the right of all countries to be free and sovereign. This is one of the reasons why we are both aligned with the Palestinian cause. The Zionist entity is a violent regime that seeks to annihilate the Palestinian people and we won’t stand by and watch.
During this year’s Al-Quds Day, which is the last Friday of Ramadan, more than 2,000 Venezuelans gathered in “Plaza de la Juventud” in Caracas to express their rejection of the genocide and their solidarity with the people of Palestine. The Embassy of Iran helped organize this cultural and political event.
In short, both Iran and Venezuela are committed to sovereignty, mutual respect, and solidarity with the oppressed. Unlike certain world powers that enrich themselves at the expense of others, most notably the United States, both countries stand with justice and the right of all peoples to determine their own destinies.
Both Iran and Venezuela are targets of imperialist aggression, especially unilateral coercive measures. Can you talk about the importance of resisting together against US imperialism?
This is a very important question. Our Islamic Revolution happened many years ago [1979], and ever since, imperialism has tried to hurt us in many ways, but it has never succeeded in breaking us. Since the beginning of its revolution [1998], Venezuela has also endured constant imperialist attacks, including sanctions against its government and its people.
Our governments want peace and prosperity for all the peoples of the world, but imperialism only wants it for itself.
It is this shared resistance and worldview that brings us together. In addition to the pride we hold in our culture and history, another factor that unites us is that both Iran and Venezuela are rich in natural resources, including oil and other energy sources. This means that neither country should have to depend on others to thrive.
It’s also worth noting that Iran has never been colonized. We’ve been threatened and attacked, yes, but Iran has remained sovereign, as has Venezuela. To preserve sovereignty, we must know our history, trust our people, and protect the resources God has given us.
You mentioned culture and history. As it turns out, US aggression against Iran and Venezuela is not just economic or political, it is also cultural, isn’t that right?
Yes, imperialist aggression has a strong cultural component. Western media and film industries often portray us in dehumanizing ways. Over the 46 years since our revolution, we have learned much about how imperialism attacks not only economies but also cultures. We want to share that experience with Venezuela.
Like Iranians, Venezuelans know that it’s possible to live with dignity and when we share our stories and cultures, we grow stronger together.
Iran has a policy of supporting any government that believes in itself and stands up to imperialism.
What cultural exchange initiatives are you promoting from the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran?
Iran and Venezuela have important cultural agreements. In addition to supporting events like the Al-Quds Day gathering, one of my key responsibilities is to showcase Iran’s cultural richness to the Venezuelan people and government, and in turn, to learn more about Venezuelan culture. The better the two peoples know each other, the better we can work together.
We are promoting Farsi courses at various universities across the country, and more and more people are signing up. One of the best ways to learn about a culture is to learn its language.
Iranian cinema is another important cultural tool in our anti-imperialist struggle because it shows the true face of our country. We organize Iranian film festivals so Venezuelans can see this for themselves. We also organize art exhibitions and an annual week of Iranian music, so Venezuelans can experience a different side of our identity, our musical roots and traditions.
As Commander Chávez once said, when Iranian and Venezuelan cultures come together, we are better prepared to stand up to imperialism.
Cultural cooperation is important, but Venezuela has also received gasoline and diluent cargoes from Iran at critical moments. Can you speak to this?
When we began our conversation, I mentioned that Iran’s policy is to help nations that resist imperialism. Venezuela is one such nation: a friend and a sister.
In the past, when President Chávez was alive and Iran was facing an energy crisis brought on by imperialist sanctions, Venezuela sent us oil tankers. That act of solidarity was courageous because in doing so, Venezuela risked sanctions.
So when Venezuela faced its energy crisis due to the blockade, when people couldn’t get gasoline, we did what we had to do: we sent tankers full of fuel. Even though the US threatened to tighten the blockade against us and attack our ships, we didn’t back down. Helping Venezuela is our duty.
US imperialism is in crisis, but that doesn’t make it any less dangerous. At the same time, a new pole is emerging, perhaps best expressed in the BRICS bloc. What is your view of this emerging pole?
Imperialism, which is led by the US government but is not to be confused with its people, is a predatory force and profoundly evil. Its thirst for control and plunder surpasses historical precedents, while previous empires didn’t have the same destructive capacity.
Their goal is to rule the world at any cost. They want to loot our resources, erase our cultures, and turn our governments into puppets. Any nation that resists will feel their wrath. That’s why sovereign nations must come together and form a new global pole of resistance. It’s the only way to defeat the monster.
BRICS, which Iran recently joined, is a critical platform for countering imperialism. Being a BRICS member helps reduce the impact of sanctions on our country and allows us to build meaningful alliances. I believe BRICS will become a key space for nations seeking sovereignty.
Evil doesn’t last forever. This is a belief shared by Muslims, Christians, and people of any faith across the world. We believe in God, and we know that with unity and conviction, we will defeat imperialism. We must act together to make it happen.
We hope Venezuela will join BRICS soon. Do you have any thoughts on this?
We wholeheartedly support Venezuela’s entry into BRICS and hope it happens soon. Iran will do everything in its power to help Venezuela achieve this goal.
Finally, returning to the question of Palestine, as a country in the Axis of Resistance, how does Iran understand the struggle?
Since the genocide began, the Zionist regime, backed fully by US imperialism, has murdered more than 100,000 people, mostly women and children.
Why is imperialism so invested in this criminal war? Because they need to control West Asia, or the so-called Middle East. The region is rich in energy sources and strategically located. That’s why they helped create the Zionist entity, which in turn aims to eliminate the Palestinian people.
For over 75 years, Palestinians have endured unimaginable suffering. But they don’t just suffer, they also resist. They fight for their dignity and the right to live in their own land.
Let me be clear: Muslims have no problem with Judaism or the Jewish people. Our issue is with Zionism, a political project that, with full imperialist support, seeks to wipe Palestinians off the map.
Palestinians have every right not only to resist, but also to live freely in their homeland. For centuries, Jews, Muslims, and Christians lived peacefully in Palestine. It was Zionism, backed by the empire, that destroyed that coexistence.
Zionism metastasizes like a cancer; without resistance, its violence will engulf the region and then the world. That’s why people need to pressure their governments not to collaborate with this genocidal regime.
Iran and Venezuela don’t seek war. We seek peace. But we also know that if we don’t support the Palestinian people now, the cancer will grow. And if anyone doesn’t believe this, just look at what’s happening in Syria and Lebanon.
The fate of Palestine is the fate of humanity. We cannot remain silent. Silence is complicity.
(Venezuelanalysis) by Cira Pascual Marquina
