Iran has strongly condemned what it described as U.S. “military aggression” against Venezuela, accusing Washington of violating international law and “the country’s national sovereignty” following a shock attack on Caracas.
Iran’s condemnation comes after the United States struck positions in the Venezuelan capital as well as the states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira on January 3, 2026.
U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed via his social media platform Truth Social early Saturday that the Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife have also been “captured” by U.S. forces and removed from the country during the military operation.
Several other key military sites have also reportedly been targeted during the attack which has received heavy condemnation from a mix of activists, politicians and onlookers online.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry slammed the actions as a serious breach of Venezuela’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, warning that such military actions threaten not only the targeted nation but also broader regional and international stability.
“The US military attack on Venezuela constitutes a clear violation of the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and the basic rules of international law, particularly Article 2, Paragraph 4 of the Charter, which prohibits the use of force. It is a textbook example of an “act of aggression” that must be explicitly condemned immediately by the United Nations and by all states concerned with upholding the rule of law, peace, and international security,” the Iranian Foreign Ministry said.
Elsewhere, Yemen’s Iran-allied AnsarAllah Houthi movement has added to condemnation of the attack.
AnsarAllah’s Political Office said in a statement: “what America is doing to Venezuela proves once again that America is the head of evil and the mother of terrorism.”
Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated on the latest news and updates from around the Muslim world!
Wider implications
Iran and Venezuela have maintained strong ties for a number of years as the two share a similar anti-imperialist outlook and foreign policy.
Venezuela has been ruled by a popular socialist government for founded by Maduro’s predecessor Hugo Chávez.
Maduro took over as leader after Chávez’ death in 2013 and has continued his anti-US legacy. Likewise, Venezuela shares Iran’s pro-Palestine stance and boasts massive amounts of natural resources including the world’s largest oil reserves.
The unauthorised attack on Venezuela and the unprecedented cature of the head of state of a rival country by the U.S. has raised alarm across the world and suggests that Trump could authorise more shocking measures against countries which are at odds with U.S. foreign policy.
In an earlier statement released on Truth Social, Trump threatened to possibly attack Iran amid ongoing violent protests inside the Islamic Republic.
“If Iran shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue. We are locked and loaded and ready to go. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
In response to Trump’s threatening remarks against Iran, the Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani on Friday issued his own threat in retaliation, urging Trump to “be mindful of your soldiers’ safety.”
In June 2025, Trump gave the green light for a direct U.S. attack on Iran, codenamed Midnight Hammer, involved 125 US military aircraft and targeted three nuclear facilities: Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan.
Iran retaliated with very limited strikes targeting a U.S. base in Qatar which was successfully repelled by local air defence.
Fears remain high that Israel will successfully lobby Washington to launch fresh strikes on Iran or will support Tel Aviv if it reopens another war with Iran.
