Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, in a meeting with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, heaped praise on Venezuela’s resistance and inspiring movement against policies of the arrogant powers, noting: “Today, arrogant [powers’] policies are plaguing the humanity like a grave scourge and the only way for the progress and victory of independent countries is ‘steadfastness and ‘reliance on masses’ in the ‘wars of wills’.”
Referring to the United States’ avaricious policies in the Latin American region, Ayatollah Khamenei said: “America viewed this region (Latin America) as its backyard, but Venezuela’s unique move managed to turn this region into an independent spot [in the world] with [its own] identity.”
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution also stated that the goal pursued by the United States through exerting pressure on Venezuela is to undermine the inspiring resistance of the Venezuelan government and nation, adding: “Today’s wars in the world are in fact the ‘war of wills’ and through resistance and strengthening of wills and by taking advantage of your country’s enormous potentialities, you will be able to overcome problems.”
Referring to the successful model of Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution, which toppled the dependent and armed Pahlavi regime, Ayatollah Khamenei said: “With empty hands, but by relying on all people, and by encouraging them to enter the scene [of anti-regime struggles], the [late Leader of the Islamic Revolution] Imam Khomeini managed to bring down the [former Iranian] regime that was supported by America and Europe, and the path to victory and the persistent success of independent governments is to follow suit with this model.”
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said making stunning scientific and technological progress by the Islamic Republic, despite pressures and sanctions imposed by enemies, was a valuable experience, adding: “This experience was achieved through reliance on people’s presence and cooperation, and the key to resolving problems is to conquer people’s emotions and hearts by working honestly and serving them.”
Ayatollah Khamenei also underlined the need to boost bilateral cooperation between Iran and Venezuela, saying: “Iran considers Venezuela’s progress and success as its own.”
During the meeting, which was attended by Iran’s First Vice President Es’haq Jahangiri, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro expressed delight over his second meeting with the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, noting that Iran enjoys a historical identity, and adding: “Iran and Venezuela are real friends and enjoy stable relations.”
Maduro then referred to the great respect and interest shown in Iran and the Leader of the Islamic Revolution by Hugo Chavez, the late Venezuelan president, saying: “I have also learnt many lessons through my meeting with you and your remarks and recommendations have had great influence on me.”
Stressing the need for showing steadfastness in defending national independence of countries, the Venezuelan president said: “By stoking unrest and chaos across the globe, and humiliating the identity of countries, the imperialism is seeking to destroy the independence of nations.”
Highlighting the readiness of the Venezuelan government and nation for countering the United States’ conspiracies, the Venezuelan president said: “As His Excellency noted, we have to defeat the enemies through [engaging in] the war of wills and by relying on people.”
The Venezuelan president also underlined the significance of the summit of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) in Tehran and the necessity for the OPEC to regain its past significance, adding: “In order to raise the level of bilateral cooperation [between the two countries] and implement joint projects, we have to make a new plan and, like in the past, continue to maintain our relations at the highest level and upgrade them.”
