Mohammad Khatami

Iranian President Mohammad Khatami is on an official visit to Venezuela, where he is expected to sign a number of bilateral agreements with President Hugo Chavez.

Oil and commercial accords are aimed at strengthening ties between the two nations, both of which have been the focus of criticism from the United States.  The Bush administration has been a vocal opponent of Iran's nuclear program, and of Venezuelan President Chavez's treatment of the opposition and the media in his country.  The United States is Venezuela's largest oil customer.

President Khatami will also attend the inauguration of a tractor assembly plant.