FACTBOX-Venezuela and Iran strengthen ties

Nov 25 (Reuters) - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was in Venezuela on Wednesday for meetings with friend and ally President Hugo Chavez on a trip intended to cement growing political and business ties between the two oil-exporting nations.

Both fiery anti-U.S. ideologues, Ahmadinejad and Chavez were expected to sign new industrial, energy and technology deals despite opposition protests. [ID:nN24318467]

The Iranian leader arrived on Tuesday night at the end of a three-nation Latin America tour that also included Brazil and Bolivia.

Following are some facts about Venezuela-Iran ties.

* GEOPOLITICS: Ahmadinejad and Chavez both aim to weaken U.S. "imperialism" and boost other centers of global power. U.S. officials have expressed concerns about Iran's growing influence in Latin America, especially in Venezuela. Tehran has increased its presence in the region, promising to build houses, dairies and vehicle factories. It receives diplomatic support for its nuclear program in return.

Some in Washington fear the cooperation goes deeper and that Venezuela might help Iran build nuclear weapons, a charge both countries deny.

* NUCLEAR: Like some other Latin American leaders, Venezuela supports Iran's nuclear program, which it says is for peaceful purposes. Chavez would also like to develop nuclear power but insists he is opposed to atomic weapons. Iran is helping Venezuela map its uranium deposits, although Venezuela does not yet mine the mineral.

* OIL: Venezuela and Iran are allies within the OPEC oil alliance. This year they agreed to invest $760 million in each other's energy sectors. Venezuela also pledged to export 20,000 barrels of gasoline per day to Iran to a total value of $800 million. The gasoline deal would help Iran if Western powers impose sanctions on fuel imports due to its nuclear program. Iran's national oil company Petropars is exploring a block in Venezuela, which in turn has vowed to work in Iran's fields.

* FINANCE: Venezuela and Iran are both critics of global financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. This year they set up a joint development bank with starting capital of $200 million.