The Trump administration’s recent military operation leading to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro marks a significant blow to Venezuela’s long-time ally, Iran, according to experts.

As anti-regime protests persist in Iran, Jason Brodsky, the policy director of United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), commented to Fox News Digital on the impact of Maduro’s apprehension. Brodsky stated, “Maduro’s capture strikes at Iran’s interests in the Western Hemisphere. He has been a steadfast ally to Tehran, standing against imperialism and American influence in the region.”

Brodsky added, “The extent of this impact hinges on Maduro’s successor. Venezuela has served as a base for Iran and Hezbollah to engage in terrorism, drug trafficking, and extend their influence across Latin and South America.”

Back in 2015, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro (left) met with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (right) during his visit for the “Gas Exporting Countries Forum” (GECF) meeting held in Tehran. (Press Office/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

Continuing, Brodsky noted, “Iran’s military collaboration with Caracas included projects like drone development. Tehran is likely watching these changes with concern. Moreover, its regional influence had already diminished following Bolivia’s shift in leadership, which saw a center-right president restoring ties with Israel.”

In November, Fox News Digital reported that the Islamic Republic was backing Maduro just as the Trump administration stepped up military pressure in the Caribbean and expanded its crackdown on criminal networks tied to the regime in Caracas.

Brodsky said, “This will be a strike heard around the world. Iran’s regime will be watching it very closely as President Trump threatened the supreme leader during the 12-Day War. This historic strike adds to the perception of President Trump being unpredictable and risk-ready, which inspires fear in U.S. adversaries and bolsters the credibility of the threat of American military force. This strengthens U.S. deterrence.”

Ex-Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi (L) welcomes Venezuelan President, Nicolás Maduro (3rd L) at Sadabat Palace in Tehran, Iran on June 11, 2022. (Photo by Iranian Presidency / Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) (Photo by Iranian Presidency / Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images))

The Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it “strongly condemns the American military attack on Venezuela and the flagrant violation of the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.”

Potkin Azarmehr, a British-Iranian expert on Iran, told Fox News Digital that “Every fall of a dictator who is allied with the Ayatollahs is both a boost to the morale of the people in Iran and a setback for the ruling mullahs.”

The then Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, from left front, Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, gather for the official group photo at the 17th Non-Aligned Movement Summit in Porlamar, on Venezuela’s Margarita Island, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos) (The Associated Press)

He added, “The Islamic Republic saw its ‘axis of resistance’ fall apart in the region. Now it’s witnessing its partner in crime further away toppled. This will seriously damage the regime’s revenues and resources. Many of the ruling officials must now be tempted to defect before it’s too late.”

Iran’s axis of resistance was the troika alliance consisting of the now-defunct Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria and the weakened Hezbollah terrorist movement in Lebanon.