Iranian and Venezuelan presidents in a phone conversation Monday night stressed the need for the consolidation of ties and increase of cooperation between the two countries.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stressed the need for the United Nations and UN Security Council to observe justice when adopting different measures, expressing views and making decisions.

Iran’s former chief nuclear negotiator Hassan Rouhani said there is a consensus among all Iranian politicians about the country’s nuclear strategy.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is expected in South America later this week following his visit to the United Nations.

Turkey once again defended energy ties with Iran and Russia, despite US official calls on Turkey to seek alternatives such as agreeing with other regional suppliers including Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan.

Iran and Pakistan on Monday started a new round of talks over finalizing a multi-billion dollar gas pipeline project with Pakistan, but in the absence of Indian officials.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that Iran would not launch an attack on Israel or any other country, and he does not believe the US is preparing for war against Iran.

Iranian nuclear officials and a visiting team from the UN nuclear watchdog held talks to clarify outstanding questions about Iran’s atomic work.

Iran closed major border crossings with northeastern Iraq on Monday to protest the US detention of an Iranian trade official, a Kurdish official said.

Iranians are a peaceful nation, but they may not give up even an iota of their national interests, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said in New York on Sunday.