Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Yván Gil welcomed statements from Iranian lawmakers backing the country’s sovereignty and condemning U.S. actions against Venezuelan oil shipments, which Iranian legislators described as violations of international maritime law.
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In a message posted Wednesday on social media, Gil thanked Iran for publicly denouncing what Caracas characterizes as U.S. aggression. “We appreciate Iran’s support in denouncing these practices that seek to destabilize our nation and subject our people to an unjust siege,” Gil said, speaking on behalf of the Venezuelan people and President Nicolás Maduro.
The statement followed a declaration issued the same day by 150 members of Iran’s parliament, who criticized Washington for intercepting Venezuelan oil tankers in the Caribbean. The lawmakers described the measure as “maritime piracy,” arguing that it contravenes established international norms. “Intercepting or obstructing commercial vessels on the high seas without authorization from competent international bodies constitutes maritime piracy, which violates international maritime law and the principle of freedom of navigation,” the legislators said.
Venezuela thanked Iran for backing its sovereignty and opposing US pressure, warning Washington’s military moves threaten regional stability. Tehran condemned US interference, urging global rejection of force and illegal sanctions.https://t.co/bs5tLCp66k
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) December 23, 2025
Gil also stated that U.S. actions go beyond economic harm. According to the foreign minister, such practices “not only undermine Venezuela’s economy, but also challenge the fundamental principles of international law.”
In a separate message, Gil welcomed the condemnation issued by independent United Nations experts regarding U.S. policy toward Venezuela. “The truth of Venezuela is making its way around the world: the policy of threats, force and colonial plunder has been legally and morally exposed,” he said.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights released a communiqué in which experts condemned the U.S. blockade and broader aggression against Venezuela. The document stated that “there is no right to impose unilateral sanctions through an armed blockade,” noting that the use of military force against another country is prohibited under the UN Charter.
Since August, the United States has maintained an extensive air and naval deployment in the Caribbean Sea near Venezuela’s coast, describing the operations as part of counter-narcotics efforts. Within this framework, Washington has reported the destruction of around 30 alleged speedboats and the killing of approximately 104 people. However, reports have warned that none of those killed represented an immediate threat that would justify the use of lethal force.
The United States has also announced a “blockade of all sanctioned oil vessels entering or leaving Venezuela.” Under this measure, the U.S. Coast Guard has intercepted and confiscated the cargo of two oil tankers near Venezuela in recent weeks, and on Sunday pursued a third tanker in the Caribbean Sea.
From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.