Maduro abduction sparks Tehran–Washington tensions, fears of Middle East conflict

Fears of a new conflict in the Middle East are intensifying following the alleged abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by US forces and his dramatic removal from power, escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington. Israeli politicians have warned Iran to learn from Venezuela’s fate, Al Jazeera reported.

The operation in Venezuela came less than a week after a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Analysts say Maduro’s removal is not merely an internal Venezuelan matter but signals the possibility of broader military action against Iran.

Within hours of Maduro’s detention, Israeli politician Yair Lapid said Iran’s rulers should closely observe what is happening in Venezuela. Earlier, Trump had warned during talks with Netanyahu in Florida that the US would strike again if Iran attempted to rebuild its missile or nuclear programmes.

Jamal Abdi, president of the National Iranian American Council, said the developments have made the situation more dangerous and raised the risk of war, warning that Maduro’s abduction could provoke a direct military confrontation.

Senior fellow Negar Mortazavi of the Center for International Policy said Trump’s maximalist stance is undermining diplomacy, adding that Tehran sees little incentive to negotiate if Washington demands surrender.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio claimed the operation was partly driven by Maduro’s close ties with Iran and alleged Hezbollah activity in Latin America, stressing that Trump acts decisively on his warnings.

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Iran would not bow to its enemies, while Tehran’s foreign ministry described the incident as an illegal act of aggression and called for UN intervention.