What Venezuela's renewed ties with Israel could mean for Iran - analysis

Venezuela's government, now operating after the capture of former leader Nicolas Maduro, is forging a new path by establishing an official consular channel with Israel for the first time in 17 years. This diplomatic initiative signals a potential recalibration of the country's foreign policy and could have implications for Iran's influence within Venezuela.

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The Treasury is holding Iran and Venezuela accountable for their aggressive and reckless proliferation of deadly weapons around the world.

The development comes months after the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on individuals and entities in both Iran and Venezuela for their involvement in weapons trade. Notably, Venezuela's state-owned Empresa Aeronáutica Nacional SA (EANSA) was cited for maintaining and assembling Iran's Mohajer-series unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in Venezuela, including negotiating the purchase of Mohajer-6 combat drones. The U.S. Treasury Under Secretary John Hurley stated the sanctions aimed to hold Iran and Venezuela accountable for weapons proliferation.

While full diplomatic relations have not been restored, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Félix Plasencia and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar agreed to establish a mechanism for consular services and continue technical cooperation. This cooperation began after Israel provided humanitarian aid following devastating earthquakes in Venezuela in June. Both governments acknowledged the importance of the relationship between Israel and Venezuela's Jewish community as a historic bridge of friendship.

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The two countries agreed to allow the continuation of bilateral technical cooperation arising from the emergency and recovery efforts following the double earthquake. They would establish a mechanism for consular services.

For Iran, this renewed engagement between Venezuela and Israel could represent a testing of its influence. Following two wars with Israel in the past 14 months, Tehran may view Venezuela's move toward establishing ties with its adversary as a strategic concern, potentially signaling a shift away from the close military and political alignment previously fostered.

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Both governments recognize the importance of the relationship between the State of Israel and the Jewish community in Venezuela, which constitutes an important historic bridge of friendship between the two countries.