TEHRAN, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry on Thursday criticized the United States for "intervention" in Venezuela's internal political affairs.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran supports the Venezuelan government and nation in the face of foreign intervention and any illegitimate and illegal move such as trying to (stage) a coup" in the Latin American country, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi said in a statement on Thursday.

"We hope any political difference in Venezuela is solved by the people and government of the country using legal and peaceful means," Qasemi said.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Washington had recognized the opposition leader Juan Guaido as the nation's "interim president," after Nicolas Maduro was inaugurated as leader of the Latin American country earlier this month.

Trump added that the United States would continue to use economic and diplomatic power to press for "the restoration of Venezuelan democracy."