(AP) CARACAS, Venezuela — President Hugo Chavez defended his close ally Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Monday, saying Iran is facing "U.S. warmongering threats" amid tensions over its nuclear program.

The two leaders met in Caracas on the first leg of a four-nation tour that will also take Ahmadinejad to Nicaragua, Cuba and Ecuador.

"We are very worried," Chavez said of pressures being put on Iran by the United States and its allies, which he accused of being a threat to peace.

"They present us as aggressors," Chavez said as he received Ahmadinejad at the presidential palace.

"Iran hasn't invaded anyone," he added. "Who has dropped thousands and thousands of bombs ... including atomic bombs?"
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"Who has dropped thousands and thousands of bombs ... including atomic bombs?"