Chavez tied to Iran? Impeccable timing.

The Washington Times reports on rumors that Venezuala has made a pact to sell uranium to Iran:

The deal was part of a package of agreements, most of which were announced during a visit last month to Caracas and Cuba by Iranian parliament Speaker Gholam Ali Haddad-Adel. [snip] Public details are vague, but Venezuelan opposition figures and press reports have said the deal on minerals could involve the production and transfer to Iran [...] of Venezuelan uranium taken from known deposits located in the dense jungle states of Amazonas and Bolivar.

Pretty impeccable timing, coming close on the heels of administration PR groundwork for an Iran invasion. And where do these rumors come from? Of course! The right-wing opposition and un-cited press reports.

Back home, the professionals say it's BS:

In Washington, a State Department official said, "We are aware of reports of possible Iranian exploitation of Venezuelan uranium, but we see no commercial uranium activities in Venezuela."

They don't mine uranium at all? That's funny.

So: right wingers spreading rumours, failed coup, enemy of the administration, Niger-style smears, party mouthpiece newspaper -- anyone smell CIA?

(via Josh Marshall)