International commentator Dr. Samaneh Ekvan has said, that the economic sanctions imposed on Iran have resulted in a closer relationship between Tehran and Caracas.
Dr. Samaneh Ekvan had joined our “Goftogooye Siyasi” show where Iran’s economic policies for the South American countries were being discussed.
Ekvan said that the economic and political potentials of the South American region have attracted all the countries throughout the world saying: “During the past few years especially after George Bush’s reign, the US has not only raised concerns regarding Iranian presence in that region but has also been anxious because of the Chinese investments.”
She further pointed out the potentials of the Latin American region and called it a rich area in terms of natural reserves, minerals, and energy resources. “They’re also equipped with new technologies; therefore, the Americans are against the presence of rival states in the region.”
Dr. Samaneh Ekvan also explained the reason behind the regional conflict in this part of the globe calling the natural resources the trigger to this rivalry. “Bolivia has an excess of Lithium which has created a race between the US and many other countries for extracting them for the production of lithium batteries.”
She also said that business tycoon Elon Musk has clearly stated that he may even conduct a coup for the Lithium he needs for his electric cars. Ekvan called the Uranium resources another reason for which the US is trying its best to block Iran’s access to Latin America.
Ekvan added that the South American nations are generally against the US and this political opposition to Washington has brought them closer to the Islamic Republic of Iran which is the main reason for the constant relations between Tehran and these countries. “Although, some of the officials raised the level of cooperation while some of them mitigated it.”
She further added that common economic interests and the trade embargoes imposed by the Americans have also helped Iran and Venezuela to get closer to each other.
Dr. Samane Ekvan rejected the claims that the huge geographical separation between these two countries has reduced the viability of economic relations and said that the strategic commonalities and the geopolitical importance of both states has mitigated the distance factor.
“When Venezuela was facing the hardships of the sanctions after the failed Coup attempt in Caracas, Iran was the one who helped this country out by shipping fuel and chemicals necessary for its refineries and created a tradeline to revive Venezuela’s economy.”
