Iran, Venezuela must boost international cooperation: Zarif

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says Iran and Venezuela must enhance close and constructive cooperation in international circles.

In a meeting with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez in Tehran on Saturday, Zarif said Tehran has always maintained good relations with Caracas.

“We are ready to further enhance mutual relations within the framework of common interests,” the Iranian minister said.

He added that the imposed sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program have caused problems for the country in the oil sector, saying that Tehran currently seeks to revive its previous capacities.

Zarif said he would pay a visit to Latin American countries and Venezuela in particular to hold more consultations with his Venezuelan counterpart on finding new capacities for cooperation.

The Venezuelan foreign minister, for her part, said in talks between Caracas and member countries of the OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries), they have always recognized Iran’s right to return its oil production ceiling to the previous figure.

OPEC said on April 13 that Iranian crude production in March was 3.3 million barrels per day (mb/d), up from 2.9 million in January.

Iran has maintained that it is targeting the production of 4 mb/d in the new Iranian year (started March 20).

Rodriguez said Venezuela was keen to bolster cooperation with Iran in medical, banking and mineral sectors and hold more consultations about ways to develop the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).