The Trump administration’s military operation that resulted in the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is a devastating setback for the South American country’s longtime ally, the Islamic Republic of Iran, experts say.
He said: “The extent of the blow will depend on who comes to power after Maduro. Iran and Hezbollah have used Venezuela as an operational hub for terrorism, drug trafficking and power projection in Latin and South America.”
CARTEL LINK: HEZBOLLAH AND IRAN EXPLOIT MADURO’S VENEZUELA FOR COCAINE MONEY
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro (L) meets with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (R) during Maduro’s visit for the “Gas Exporting Countries Forum” (GECF) meeting in Tehran, Iran on November 23, 2015. (Press Office/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
He continued: “Iran also had a military partnership with Caracas, especially with drones, so Tehran is likely watching these developments very cautiously. Its interests in the region were already weakened after the presidential elections in Bolivia, which brought to power a center-right leader who restored relations with Israel.”
Brodsky said: “This will be a strike that will be heard around the world. The Iranian regime will be watching it closely as President Trump threatened the supreme leader during the Twelve-Day War. This historic attack contributes to the perception that President Trump is unpredictable and risk-taking, instilling fear in U.S. adversaries and strengthening the credibility of the threat of U.S. military force. This strengthens U.S. deterrence.”
ON MADURO’S ‘TERROR ISLAND’ HEZBOLLAH OPERATIVES SET IN AS TOURISTS DRIVE OFF
Ex-Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi (L) welcomes Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro (3rd from left) at Sadabat Palace in Tehran, Iran on June 11, 2022. (Photo by Iranian Presidency/Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) (Photo by Iranian Presidency/Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images))
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it “strongly condemns the US military attack on Venezuela and the blatant violation of the country’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
PROTESTS SPREAD ACROSS IRAN AS REGIME THREATENS US FORCES AS ‘LEGITIME TARGETS’ AFTER TRUMP WARNING
Then-Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, from front left, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas gather for the official group photo at the 17th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement in Porlamar, Venezuelan island Margarita, Saturday, September 17, 2016. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos) (The associated press)
He added: “The Islamic Republic has seen its ‘axis of resistance’ disintegrate in the region. Now it is witnessing its partner in crime being overthrown further afield. This will severely damage the regime’s revenues and resources. Many of the ruling officials must now be tempted to defect before it is too late.”
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The Iranian resistance axis was the Troika alliance consisting of the now defunct regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria and the weakened terrorist movement Hezbollah in Lebanon.
