Relations between Iran and Latin America: from political cooperation to confrontation with the United States.

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-Wednesday 2026/05/20 - 17:14

News Code:25015

رابطه ایران و آمریکای لاتین؛ از همکاری سیاسی تا تقابل با آمریکا

Over the past four decades, Iran’s relations with Latin America have become one of the key axes of the Islamic Republic’s foreign policy. By expanding political, economic, and security ties with Latin American countries, Iran has sought to increase its presence in what has traditionally been considered the United States’ backyard—a move that has consistently drawn reactions from Washington.

The beginning of Iran–Latin America relations after the 1979 Revolution.

After the victory of the 1979 revolution, Iran's foreign policy moved towards cooperation with governments that had independent positions against the United States. In the meantime, some Latin American countries, especially anti-American governments such as Venezuela, Cuba, Bolivia, and Nicaragua, became Tehran's important partners.

In the early decades after the Revolution, Iran’s relations with Latin America were limited, but from the early 2000s and coinciding with rising tensions between Tehran and Washington, the Islamic Republic sought to expand its presence in the region.

Why is Latin America important for Iran?

Latin America is important for Iran in several ways:

1. Countering American influence

Iran has always tried to reduce the political and economic pressures of the United States by developing relations with countries opposed to Washington. From the perspective of the Islamic Republic, Tehran's presence in Latin America is considered a geopolitical balancing act.

2. Economic and commercial cooperation

Western sanctions made Iran look for alternative markets. Oil, industrial, agricultural and banking cooperation between Iran and some Latin American countries was developed in this framework.

3. Political and international cooperation

Many Latin American countries have supported Iran's positions in international forums or at least taken a neutral position against American pressure.

Venezuela; Iran's most important ally in Latin America

مادورو و سفیر جمهوری اسلامی ایران

Iran-Venezuela relations are one of the most important axes of Tehran's foreign policy in the region. These relations expanded especially during the presidency of Hugo Chávez and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

The two countries established extensive cooperation in the fields of energy, refineries, housing, banking and transportation. After the US oil sanctions, the cooperation between Tehran and Caracas entered a new phase.

Sending Iranian oil, gas condensate and industrial equipment to Venezuela in recent years has attracted the attention of international media.

In the past years, Iran and Venezuela have tried to turn their cooperation into a strategic partnership.

The role of Cuba, Bolivia and Nicaragua in Iran's regional relations

In addition to Venezuela, other countries have also played a role in the development of Iran's influence in Latin America.

Cuba

The relations between Tehran and Havana are mainly based on political commonalities and opposition to American policies. The two countries have cooperated in medical, scientific and diplomatic fields.

Bolivia

During the Evo Morales era, relations between Iran and Bolivia developed and several economic and industrial agreements were signed between the two countries.

Nicaragua

The relations between Iran and Nicaragua have also expanded in recent years and the two countries have cooperated in the field of energy and infrastructure projects.

America's view of Iran's presence in Latin America

The United States has always been sensitive to Iran's increasing influence in Latin America. Washington believes that Tehran is trying to neutralize American pressure by creating political, economic and even security networks in this region.

In the past years, some American officials have warned about the activities of Iran and groups close to Tehran in Latin America; However, Iran has denied these accusations.

Security charges and the Amia case

One of the most important issues related to Iran's presence in Latin America is the explosion of the Amia Jewish Center in Argentina. A case that has cast a shadow on the relations between Tehran and Buenos Aires since the 1990s.

Some judicial authorities in Argentina have accused a number of Iranian officials of being involved in this explosion, but the Islamic Republic denies these accusations.

In recent years, this case has repeatedly become a political issue in the relations between Iran and Latin American countries.

Iran's economic cooperation in Latin America

Iran has tried to bypass part of the pressure of sanctions by using the capacity of Latin American countries.

Some of the most important areas of cooperation are:

Export of oil and oil products
Construction and housing projects
Banking cooperation
Automobile and tractor industries
Agriculture and food cooperation

However, geographical distance, financial problems and the pressure of sanctions have caused many projects to be implemented in a limited way.

The future of relations between Iran and Latin America

The future of relations between Iran and Latin America largely depends on the political conditions of the region and relations between Tehran and Washington.

If the tension between Iran and America continues, Tehran will probably try to maintain and strengthen its presence in Latin America. On the other hand, the change of governments in the countries of the region can directly affect the level of these cooperations.

Despite political ups and downs, Latin America seems to remain an important part of the foreign policy strategy of the Islamic Republic.

summary

In the past years, the relations between Iran and Latin America have gone beyond the level of diplomatic relations and turned into political, economic and strategic cooperation. By expanding its influence in this region, Tehran has tried to strengthen its international position and reduce American pressure.

On the other hand, Washington has always been sensitive to Iran's presence in Latin America and considers this issue as part of the geopolitical competition between the two countries.