Iran called for Maduro's release Monday, according to French news agency AFP, which quoted foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei as saying at a weekly press conference that, "The president of a country and his wife were abducted. It's nothing to be proud of; it's an illegal act. As the Venezuelan people have emphasized, their president must be released."

Axar.az informs he also said Tehran's relations with Venezuela, a close ally, remain unchanged. "Our relations with all countries, including Venezuela, are based on mutual respect and will remain so. We are in contact with the Venezuelan authorities."

Iran condemned the attack on Saturday, calling it a "flagrant violation of the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of" Venezuela, AFP reported.