Tasnim – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif’s assistant and Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza held talks on a range of issues, including the political crisis that has engulfed the Latin American country.

In the meeting, held in Caracas on Wednesday, Mohsen Baharvand and Arreaza reviewed most important issues surrounding Iran-Venezuela relations and ways to strengthen ties in various political and economic areas.

The Iranian diplomat also voiced Tehran’s readiness to help Venezuela to overcome the existing political situation and counter illegal foreign interference in the country.

Arreaza, for his part, expressed his gratitude to the Islamic Republic for supporting his country.

The two sides also deplored the hostile and illegal behaviors of the US, including its interference in the internal affairs of other countries, and emphasized that such moves are doomed to failure.

Venezuela has plunged into political crisis after Juan Guaido, the leader of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, declared himself interim president in January.

Shortly after Guaido took an oath swearing himself in before his supporters, US President Donald Trump recognized him as the country's leader. In response, Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro broke off diplomatic ties with the US and gave American diplomats 72 hours to get out of his country.

Apart from being embroiled in a political crisis, Venezuela has been witnessing blackouts with millions of people going without power in the past weeks.