CARACAS, Feb. 14 (Xinhuanet) -- Venezuela counts Iran as "great ally of brothers", said Nicolas Maduro, president of Venezuela's National Assembly, after meeting Iranian parliament speaker Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel here on Tuesday.

    "From our souls, we feel that our two nations are brothers and that together with other peoples we are carrying the flag of dignity and sovereignty, just as the North American empire (the United States) is beginning to decay," Maduro said.

    He said that Iran and Venezuela will boost their links by sharing experiences, especially in economic development, science, technology and social affairs.

    Adel, on his first visit to Caracas, expressed support for the Venezuelan government and thanked the country for voting in support of Iran at the meetings of the International Atomic EnergyAgency (IAEA).

    Venezuela joined Cuba and Syria on Feb. 4 in voting against a resolution under which the IAEA will report Tehran to the Security Council.

    The United State's opposition to Iran's nuclear energy plans was only a pretext, said Adel, adding Washington does not want Iran to be independent.

    Iran, branded as part of an "axis of evil" by Washington, confirmed on Tuesday it had begun enrichment work after the IAEA ruled it would report Tehran to the UN Security Council for possible action over its atomic energy program. Tehran says it wants a peaceful nuclear program. Enditem