During an interview with satellite news broadcaster Al Mayadeen in Spanish, which was later broadcast on Venezuelan state television, Maduro stated that his country’s relations with the Islamic Republic have always been really good, "Whether with former President (Mahmoud) Ahmadinejad, former President Hassan Rouhani, or now with President Ebrahim Raisi."
After voicing his admiration for Iranian Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei and describing him as a man of great wisdom and great intelligence, the Venezuelan president also revealed that the former commander the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Quds Force Lt. General Soleimani visited Venezuela between March and April 2019.
"We were in the midst of the electrical crisis launched by the imperialists of the north (the US) against Venezuela's electrical network," he said, touching on the conversation the two figures had on several areas of cooperation, including electricity. Maduro confirmed that all matters discussed between them went on to be implemented.
The Venezuelan president praised General Soleimani’s bravery and courage in standing against global terrorism and said, "He was a smiley, optimistic man, and I thank God for ever meeting him,”
“Soleimani combated terrorism and the brutal terrorist criminals who attacked the peoples of the Axis of resistance. He was a brave man,” he added.
He stressed the importance of learning from horrific crimes such as the crime of assassinating General Soleimani.
"Is this a world we want, where we witness the White House issuing an order to kill a hero of the struggle against terrorism in Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Lebanon?"
He underscored that the world must raise its voice again, "in condemnation of the murder of the people's hero, General Soleimani."
The Venezuelan president also said that he will soon visit Iran to finalize new agreements on mutual cooperation.
“I am going to Teheran very soon, for a visit that President (Ebrahim) Raisi offered me, so that we meet in person, to hold conversations and sign new agreements … and speed up processes of cooperation,” Maduro stated.
He noted he has had two telephone conversations with Iran’s president, adding that they have agreed to work on new plans, without providing details. He also did not give a date for the visit but described the two countries as “fighters”.
Venezuela and Iran have strengthened their ties in recent years.
Maduro’s government has received vital equipment for its oil industry from Iran, which in return has received crude and other primary resources from the South American country. Iran has been crucial for Venezuela’s rising oil production in 2021.