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Iran Masked with Diplomacy to Support Its Nuclear Production in South America | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif / AP/ Ronald Zak


Caracas- It looks like Iran has been roving freely in the U.S. backstage, after it has become unsatisfied with only intervening in the Arab and regional internal affairs.

The visit of Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to five nations of Latin America on August 21, leaked by the ministry to Spanish news agency EFE, comes in an attempt to support the Iranian regime in South America.

Venezuela’s “La Nacion” newspaper said the visit of Zarif would include Ecuador, Nicaragua, Cuba, Chile and Bolivia.

The visit targets the Latin economy and plans to attract businessmen from the region. Zarif and his accompanying delegation also seek to indirectly market Iranian products and oil through Latin markets.

According to political analysts, the visit aims to politically and morally support members of the so-called Hezbollah besides the Iranian influence in Latin America, which has been expanding lately. Tehran will also work on buffing its image in its visit these countries, while seeking political support and new allies, such as Chili, where Iran has no power.

Expert on Latin America affairs, Joseph Humire said Iran was heading to South America for several reasons. On a political level, he said, Iran looks to win international support for the so-called Hezbollah and the Iranian Revolutionary Guards. On a defense level, Tehran aims at establishing military facilities and centers for missile production, as well as exchanging nuclear techniques with the Latin countries.

In this regard, Humire said it was sufficient to speak about Iran’s arms production industries in Venezuela, mainly the Parchin Chemical Industries and Qods Aviation industry.

Iran claims the aim of Zarif’s visit is solely diplomatic and economic.

However, it looks from Zarif’s schedule and the countries he has chosen that the foreign minister is visiting states ideologically sympathizing with the Iranian regime.