Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has rejected the top US diplomat's "threats" on the consequences of Latin American ties with Iran, blasting Hillary Clinton's remarks as an "imperial offensive”.

"Mrs (Hillary) Clinton's statements (are) like a threat above all against Venezuela and Bolivia... They are the clear signs of an imperial offensive seeking to stop the advancement of progressive forces, and regain its back yard," Chavez told reporters in Havana yesterday.

The firebrand leftist leader, long a thorn in Washington's side, made his comments at an ALBA summit of leftist Latin American leaders in communist Cuba.

Hillary warned Latin American countries on Friday to "think twice" about fostering ties with Iran because of its alleged support for terror amid the Islamic republic's growing presence and warming relations in the region.

"I think if people want to flirt with Iran, they should take a look at what the consequences might well be for them. And we hope that they will think twice and we will support them if they do," she said during a question-and-answer session at the State Department's public policy forum on Latin America.

"We hope that there will be a recognition that this is the major supporter, promoter and exporter of terrorism in the world today," she added, calling it a "very bad idea for the countries involved" to allow Iran to gain a foothold in the region.

Source: Zee News