Iran slams U.S. ‘abduction’ of Maduro, calls for his release

Iran has denounced the U.S. detention of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, describing the operation as an ‘abduction’ and calling for his immediate release.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi discussed the issue in separate phone calls on Monday with his Brazilian and Cuban counterparts, according to a statement from Iran’s Foreign Ministry.

During talks with Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, Araghchi said the U.S. military operation in Venezuela amounted to a "gross violation" of the UN Charter and fundamental principles of international law.

He warned that unilateral actions by Washington risked undermining the international legal order and could have serious consequences for global stability.

In a separate call with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, Araghchi said all governments and the United Nations had a responsibility to oppose what he described as clear breaches of international law.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry said Araghchi also spoke on Sunday with his Venezuelan counterpart, Yván Gil Pinto, reiterating Tehran’s support for the Venezuelan government and people.

The ministry said Iran viewed the detention of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, as unlawful and called for their release in line with the will of Venezuelan authorities and the population.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei told a weekly press conference in Tehran that "the abduction of a country’s president and his spouse is by no means something to take pride in", adding that the U.S. had acted unlawfully.

At an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council in New York, Iran’s ambassador to the UN, Amir-Saeid Iravani, said the detention constituted a serious violation of international law and an attack on the principle of state sovereignty.

He warned that continued inaction by the Security Council could encourage further unlawful conduct and pose a threat to regional and international peace and security.

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