Venezuela summons Iran ambassador over remarks

Venezuela summoned Iran's ambassador on Tuesday, July 28, to protest remarks it described as “contemptuous and inappropriate,” the Venezuelan foreign ministry said.

The ministry said the ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran was called to receive a note of protest over remarks made against Venezuela's institutions and authorities. Venezuelan authorities did not specify which comments triggered the protest.

AFP reported that video circulating online indicated Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had recently said Iran is “not Venezuela” when discussing negotiations with the United States.

Caracas and Tehran have been longtime political and commercial partners since Hugo Chavez came to power in 1999. The two oil-rich countries have announced energy, mining, health and education agreements over the past 30 years.

Iran sent 1.5 million barrels of gasoline to Venezuela in 2020 when Caracas was unable to refine its own oil, and sent more than two million polio and hepatitis vaccines in 2025 when Venezuela had difficulty buying medicine because of US sanctions.

The diplomatic protest comes as Venezuela has a new interim government after the United States ousted Nicolas Maduro in a January military raid. Negotiations to form a new Venezuelan government are expected to begin on August 1 under US supervision, and AFP reported that the political shift could bring a different approach to Iran.