Venezuela's Arreaza in Iran to Discuss Sanctions, Healthcare

Venezuela's Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza has met with Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif in Tehran to discuss increased cooperation in combatting international sanctions and bolstering healthcare.

"Today in Tehran, we held an intense and necessary work meeting with our brother Javad Zarif," Arreaza tweeted. "The alliance between Venezuela and Iran is more solid every day. Together we revised projects, new areas of cooperation and shared geopolitical visions."

The meeting focused on constructing bilateral ties, but also on how best to deal with economic sanctions and U.S. intervention against independent countries, according to EFE.

During the meeting, a deal was also signed to exchange medical equipment, pharmaceuticals and doctors to improve access to healthcare by both the Venezuelan and Iranian people.

"To strengthen assistance in the area of health for the Venezuelan people, this Saturday, Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza signed a memorandum of understanding between the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuelan and the Islamic Republic of Iran for pharmaceuticals and medical professionals," the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry tweeted.

"The relationship constructed by Comandante Hugo Chavez with the Irani leadership is strengthened today by President Nicolas Maduro to benefit the Bolivarian people," Arreaza said..

Iran and Venezuela are among the countries targeted most heavily by Donald Trump's U.S. administration. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley threatened to reimpose sanctions on Iran earlier this week, and Trump has repeatedly threatened to pull out of the internationally supported 'Nuclear Deal.'