Iranian Leader on Tour to Bolster Support

Iranian Leader On Tour To Bolster Support

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Mr Ahmadinejad has always denied Iran is developing nuclear weapons

9:23am UK, Monday January 09, 2012

Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has begun a tour of Latin America in an effort to strengthen relationships with allies as tensions grow over the country's nuclear programme.

The leader has arrived in Venezuela where he was greeted by vice president Elias Jaua and other officials.
It is Mr Ahmadinejad's fifth visit to the country and he is scheduled to meet his long-standing ally, president Hugo Chavez.
On Sunday Mr Chavez rebuffed calls by US officials for countries to insist that Iran stop defying international efforts to assess its nuclear programme.
"What the empire does is make you laugh, in its desperation to do something they won't be able to do: dominate this world," he said.
The US and its allies accuse Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons under the cover of a civilian nuclear energy programme. France has been pressing the European Union to impose additional sanctions.
The US has said the tour is a sign of desperation and President Barack Obama has warned Venezeula against expanding ties with Iran.
Mr Chavez and his allies in the left-leaning Bolivarian Alliance have backed Iran in the dispute and the president has praised Iran's military industry.
He also dismissed speculation by some officials in Washington that Iran might eventually be able to use Latin American countries to stage attacks on US interests.
"That must be looked at carefully because it's a threat against us," Mr Chavez said.
"We aren't a threat to anyone. We just have rights and we're sovereign."
Mr Ahmadinejad and Mr Chavez both plan to travel to Nicaragua for Tuesday's inauguration of newly re-elected president Daniel Ortega.
Mr Ahmadinejad will also travel to Cuba and Ecuador.

The American say they have evidence that Iran is developing Nuclear capability in underground facilities. Iran threatens to close the
Strait of Hormuz which is used for Oil shipments and the U.S.says it is ready to take action. The price of Oil has increased $10 because of
this standoff.