Thousands of people took to the streets of the Venezuelan capital Caracas on Tuesday to condemn U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iran, and to demand the release of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.
The demonstrators gathered in a park in western Caracas, holding banners and waving Venezuelan national flags as they marched along main thoroughfares toward Bolivar Square.
Participants chanted slogans condemning the U.S. hegemonic actions and voiced support for the Iranian people. Many also reiterated their demand that the United States release Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.
"This is a protest against the ongoing and increasingly violent imperialist intervention. I am here to question why they are bombing Iran, just as they have bombed Venezuela and Gaza. I strongly oppose what is happening now. We believe that the internal affairs of a sovereign nation should be decided by its own people, and no other country has the right to interfere," said Sonia, a protester.
Protesters rally in Venezuela to condemn US-Israeli attacks on Iran
Commercial activities in the southern Iran port city of Bandar Abbas, which sits on the crucial shipping waterway of the Strait of Hormuz, have largely come to a standstill following several days of intense strikes.
Video footage from the city on Wednesday showed mostly deserted streets, as various businesses, including seafood markets and shopping centers, have suspended operations.
Despite the widespread disruption, essential services have continued to function in Bandar Abbas, with chain supermarkets and fruit and vegetable markets remaining open, providing supplies of basic necessities to residents.
The city holds a significant strategic coastal location on the narrow passageway of the Strait of Hormuz, which has drawn global attention after Iran warned it could disrupt transit through this vital waterway in retaliation for U.S.-Israeli strikes.
The developments have sent shockwaves through international markets, particularly as around 20 percent of global oil shipments pass through this critical strait.
Iran said on Wednesday that over 1,000 people have now been killed in the country since U.S.-Israeli strikes began on Saturday.
In a statement published on its official website, Iran's Foundation of Martyrs and Veteran Affairs described the strikes as "aggressive and brutal."
Joint U.S.-Israeli attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities starting Saturday morning have resulted in the deaths of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, his family members, top military commanders, and civilians. Iran has since responded with multiple waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and U.S. assets across the region.
Key Iranian port city on Strait of Hormuz comes to standstill with commercial areas closed
