Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani on Thursday condemned the U.S. seizure of a plane used by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, calling it a violation of international law.

The U.S. Justice Department announced on Monday it had seized a Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft in the Dominican Republic, which it said was owned by and operated for Maduro and his associates.

Mr Kanaani said the action was unacceptable and contravened international norms, including the Convention on International Civil Aviation.

He added that the move represents a continuation of U.S. coercive measures against other countries and could undermine aviation security.

Mr Kanaani expressed Iran’s support for Venezuela’s efforts to protect and reclaim its public property, calling for increased cooperation among nations to counter U.S. sanctions.

U.S. attorney general Merrick B. Garland said the aircraft was “illegally purchased for 13 million U.S. dollars through a shell company and smuggled out of the United States for use by Maduro and his cronies.”

Venezuela denounced the seizure as a “repeated criminal practice” on Monday, with foreign affairs minister Yvan Gil stating the country reserves the right to take legal action to repair the damage caused by U.S. sanctions.

(Xinhua/NAN)