Government says that media campaign tries to distort Venezuela-Iran relations

Foreign Vice-Minister for Europe Alejandro Fleming denied reports that customs authorities in the port of Mersin, Turkey, found radioactive and hazardous materials in containers coming from Iran and bound for Venezuela. The Venezuelan government jumped on Wednesday in defense of the "peaceful" nature of its relation with Iran and called "irresponsible, immoral media attack" the versions on alleged bilateral plans related to "manufacturing of weapons and explosives."

Foreign Vice-Minister for Europe Alejandro Fleming quoted in a communiqué the reports of the local and foreign press, according to which "customs authorities in the port of Mersin, Turkey, found radioactive and hazardous materials in containers coming from Iran and bound for Venezuela."

"Making such remarks for the purpose only of forming an international perception for renewed meddling in Venezuela is absolutely irresponsible and immoral," said Fleming, Efe quoted. "Such media lies were uncovered when Turkish authorities, after making the usual customs check, reported that there were not radioactive or hazardous materials inside the containers."

"Once again, some media outlets have tried to mislead the national and international public opinion by showing as dangerous our ties with Tehran, which are exclusively based on a relationship of supportive, peaceful cooperation on behalf of our peoples' development," the official added.