Special report: Iran Nuclear Crisis

    CARACAS, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad offered their mutual support in a phone conference on Monday night, Venezuela's Communications Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

    Their conversation included the topic of Iran's nuclear ambitions, which Chavez has publicly supported several times, according to the statement.

    Ahmadinejad thanked Chavez for endorsing Iran's right to developing nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, and said the two countries shared many "ideals and goals" which "have formed strong bonds between our two nations."

    He said that independent-minded governments could, with harmony, unity and wisdom, preserve and strengthen their natural resources.

    "As part of the vindication of our inalienable right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful means, we will continue to act in the framework of legality and with civilized logic," he said.

    Chavez reiterated his support for Iran's civil use of nuclear power, saying he was sure that Iran would proceed with its nuclear program with wisdom and that Iran's people would succeed in the field.

    He also called for the advancement of the joint projects Iran and Venezuela were planning.

    The U.S. government accuses Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons, an accusation which Iran denies, insisting that it wants nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Enditem