Tehran Open for Closer Caracas Ties

President Hassan Rouhani congratulated Venezuela on the anniversary of the Latin American nation's 1811 independence, saying Tehran eyes closer friendship and enhanced cooperation with Caracas. In a message to his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro on Wednesday, Rouhani congratulated the Bolivarian Republic's government and nation on the 206th anniversary of independence, Tasnim News Agency reported. He hoped that joint efforts by the officials of the two countries would lead to closer friendship, expand relations and promote international cooperation between the two nations. The congress of Venezuelan provinces adopted the Venezuelan Declaration of Independence on July 5, 1811. The declaration proclaimed a new nation called the American Confederacy of Venezuela and was ratified by Congress on July 7, 1811. Iran and Venezuela enjoy a high level of diplomatic ties and are known as allies, as both are opposed to the US policies.