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A Timeline of the Iran-Venezuela Relationship

2009

 

May- Chávez meets with Iranian Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar to discuss military relations.

May- Reports show that Iran recently began to manufacture cars, bicycles, and tractors in Venezuela.

May- A secret Israeli government report is leaked to the press that accuses Venezuela and its surrogate revolutionary government in Bolivia of supplying Iran with uranium for its nuclear program.

April- In Tehran, Chávez and Ahmadinejad officially form their joint development bank, with $200 million starting capital.

2008

 

November- Iran and Venezuela announce a $4 billion joint venture in oil production.

August- Chávez announces that Venezuela has taken delivery of 24 Russian fighter jets.

August- Iran-backed Hezbollah is reported to be working to convert indigenous populations in South America to Shiite Islam to establish a base from which to strike the United States.

August- A Bolivian government announces that Venezuela and Iran will loan Bolivia $225 million to establish a state cement company to build roads and houses.

June- The US Treasury Department freezes the assets of two suspected Hezbollah "facilitators and fundraisers" in Venezuela.

April - Chávez reportedly offers $100-$150 million to acquire up to 30% of a company called ImageSat International, which as the Miami Herald notes, owns a satellite that was "launched in 2006 by Israel, reportedly to spy on Iran's nuclear program."

February- National Intelligence Director Michael McConnell testifies to Congress that Iran, Venezuela and Cuba are working to undermine the spread of democracy though drug trafficking and the establishment of terrorist safe havens in the Western Hemisphere.

February- Iran announces that it will cooperate with Venezuela on more than 30 industrial projects in 2008.

February- Morales announces Iran's plan to open a television station "for all of Latin America" in Bolivia's Andean foothills.

January- Iran's Islamic Culture and Relations Organization hosts a meeting in which participants agreed to step up cultural activities in Latin America.

2007

November- Chávez tells French TV that Venezuela will join Iran in launching a "peaceful" nuclear program.

November- Chávez warns that oil prices will continue to go up if US is "crazy enough to invade Iran".

November - Chávez supports Iran's proposal of switching oil unit from dollar to "basket" which would be backed by non-dollar currencies.

November- Venezuela drafts a budget that includes more than $250 million to finance pro-Chávez groups and ''anti-imperialist'' movements and includes strategies to strengthen the links to countries like Iran, Syria, Belarus, and Vietnam.

 

November- Iranian plan reveals potential $2.6 billion agreement with Syria, Venezuela, and Malaysia to build an oil refinery not far from Damascus.

November- Chávez makes his 7^th trip to Iran.

October- Iran and Venezuela announce their intent to sponsor "a global progressist front" to underline "the ideological kinship of the left and revolutionary Islam".

October - Ahmadinejad pledges an investment of $1 billion to Bolivia to help impoverished country explore its "vast natural gas reserves, extract minerals, generate more electricity and fund agricultural and construction projects."

 

October- 15,000 rounds of Iranian-made ammunition are loaded onto a Uruguayan navy ship in Venezuela, before the attempt is discovered.

September- At a meeting in Venezuela, Ahmadinejad pledges $9 billion in direct aid to the region in 2007 alone.

July- Venezuela agrees to sell its gasoline to Iran after and Iranian request

June- Chávez and Ahmadinejad begin construction on a joint petrochemical factory in Iran

June- Chávez departs on a tour of Russia, Belarus, and Iran. In Iran he plans to finalize agreements made during Ahmadinejad's visits to Caracas last year.

June- Iran receives a visit from the President of Nicaragua.

August - Iran will help fund a $350 million ocean port and build 10,000 houses for the Nicaraguan government, and plans to select a site to build a $120 million hydroelectric project.

April- Iran and Venezuela state plan to increase volume of their bilateral financial trade to $18 billion

April - Iran states plan of establishing a supreme headquarters for Iran-Venezuela cooperation.

March- Chávez publically announces his opposition to Ahmadinejad comments about Israel.

March- Direct flights to Venezuela are offered by Iranian airline.

2006

September- Chávez states that Iran is not developing nuclear arms.

September- Chávez and Ahmadinejad, in Caracas, create a 2 million energy joint-venture fund.

September- Chávez warns US of great consequences if Iran is ever attacked, including stopping all oil exports.

July- Ahmadinejad presents Chávez with Iran's highest national medal.

May- Chávez threatens to sell F-16 fighter jets to another nation, possibly Iran.