Part of the concern about Iran鈥檚 intentions comes from the fact that many of the deals signed in recent years are shrouded in secrecy. A Venezuela visit by Iran鈥檚 defense minister in 2010 ended in a deal between the two militaries, but no details were made public.
But those who study the relationship between the two countries say that many of the promised and rumored projects 鈥� from homes to hospitals to a mega embassy in Nicaragua 鈥� have gone nowhere. 鈥淚ran has promised a lot, but delivered very little,鈥� says Javedanfar.
And while trade has increased between Iran and Latin America, tripling from 2008 to 2009, Johnson points out that it still only a tiny fraction of Iran鈥檚 overall trade. Many question what Iran is getting out of the commercial deals in Latin America, apart from more support for its nuclear program and perhaps a boost at home for Ahmadinejad, because its allies are mostly poorer countries.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a very poor commercial fit because outside of Venezuela, these countries are very needy,鈥� says Johnson. 鈥淭hey can鈥檛 give very much back.鈥�
