When asked about Obama's recent overtures to Iran for improved relations, Chavez said he will wait and see how the new administration takes shape but that he isn't optimistic.
TEHRAN, Iran: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Wednesday that he has little hope of better relations with Washington under President Obama, saying the United States is still acting like an "empire" in his eyes.
Chavez made the comments after arriving in Tehran on a two-day visit to Iran. In recent years, Chavez and Iran's hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, both well-known for their anti-U.S. rhetoric have boosted economic and political ties.
The socialist leader congratulated Iran on its recent 30th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, which ousted the U.S.-backed shah and installed rule by hard-line Islamic clerics.
"Arriving in Tehran for us is like arriving at one's own home," Chavez told reporters in remarks carried on Venezuelan state-run television.
When asked about Obama's recent overtures to Iran for improved relations, Chavez said he will wait and see how the new administration takes shape but that he isn't optimistic.
"I don't have much hope, because behind him is an empire. He's the president of an empire. Now, I think it's fair to give him some time. Seeing is believing," Chavez said.
TEHRAN, Iran: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Wednesday that he has little hope of better relations with Washington under President Obama, saying the United States is still acting like an "empire" in his eyes.Chavez made the comments after arriving in Tehran on a two-day visit to Iran. In recent years, Chavez and Iran's hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, both well-known for their anti-U.S. rhetoric have boosted economic and political ties.
The socialist leader congratulated Iran on its recent 30th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, which ousted the U.S.-backed shah and installed rule by hard-line Islamic clerics.
"Arriving in Tehran for us is like arriving at one's own home," Chavez told reporters in remarks carried on Venezuelan state-run television.
When asked about Obama's recent overtures to Iran for improved relations, Chavez said he will wait and see how the new administration takes shape but that he isn't optimistic."I don't have much hope, because behind him is an empire. He's the president of an empire. Now, I think it's fair to give him some time. Seeing is believing," Chavez said.
"I hope President Obama is the last president of the Yankee empire, and the first president of a truly democratic republic, the United States."
The U.S. broke off diplomatic relations with Iran after the 1979 revolution and the takeover of the American Embassy in Tehran by hard-line students. Ties deteriorated under former President George W. Bush, but Obama has struck a different tone since taking office, saying he would like to have engagement with Tehran. Iran has so far been cooler to the idea of making immediate contacts.
Chavez's relations with Washington also grew increasingly strained under Bush, including expelling the U.S. ambassador and withdrawing his envoy from Washington in September.
Courtesy: Fox News
The U.S. broke off diplomatic relations with Iran after the 1979 revolution and the takeover of the American Embassy in Tehran by hard-line students. Ties deteriorated under former President George W. Bush, but Obama has struck a different tone since taking office, saying he would like to have engagement with Tehran. Iran has so far been cooler to the idea of making immediate contacts.
Chavez's relations with Washington also grew increasingly strained under Bush, including expelling the U.S. ambassador and withdrawing his envoy from Washington in September.
Courtesy: Fox News
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