Iran Says Chavez Visit Will Boost Ties

Chavez (left) with Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad in Tehran today (ISNA) July 1, 2007 -- A spokesman for Iran's Foreign Ministry says the current visit by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez will make ties between the two nations even stronger.

Mohammad Ali Hosseini told reporters that Tehran and Caracas share "close regional and international stances."

Chavez, who arrived in Iran on June 30 after trips to Russia and Belarus, is scheduled to meet with President Mahmud Ahmadinejad and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

(dpa, AP)