Iran says U.S. must release Venezuela's Maduro, calls detention unlawful

TEHRAN, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday that the United States must release Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, condemning Washington's "unlawful" actions against Venezuela's sovereignty.

Speaking at a weekly news conference in Tehran, Baghaei accused the United States of abducting Maduro and his wife following a U.S. military operation in Venezuela, calling the move a violation of international law.

"The abduction of a country's president and his wife is not something to take pride in," Baghaei said. "This is a completely unlawful action, and as stressed by Venezuela's officials and people, their president must be released."

He urged United Nations member states to respond to flagrant violations of international law, warning that such behaviour would not stop there.

The U.S. military said on Saturday it had carried out strikes in Venezuela and captured Maduro and his wife, transferring them to the United States. Maduro was brought to a Manhattan federal court on Monday to face "narco-terrorism" charges filed by the U.S. administration.

Maduro is a close ally of Iran, and the two heavily sanctioned countries have sought to deepen trade ties. After Maduro's capture, Baghaei said Iran's support for Venezuela was based on principles rather than individuals.

Baghaei also warned that Iran's armed forces would not hesitate to defend the country's sovereignty, amid U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to intervene in Iran's protests.

In remarks on Sunday, Trump said the United States was monitoring protests in Iran "very closely" and would hit Iran "very hard" if protesters were killed.

Protests have erupted in several Iranian cities since late last month over the sharp depreciation of the rial. Iranian authorities have acknowledged the demonstrations and said they are prepared to address economic grievances, while warning against violence and vandalism.

Baghaei accused Israel and the United States of seeking to maintain tensions around Iran through psychological warfare, media campaigns, and continued economic pressure. ■