FM Stresses Iran’s Resolve to Boost Ties with Japan

Amirabdollahian, in a phone conversation with his Japanese counterpart Hayashi Yoshimasa on Wednesday, expressed Tehran’s commitment to further deepening ties with Tokyo.

He also said Iran views diplomacy and dialogue as the only viable solution to current regional and global challenges.

According to a statement issued by Iran’s foreign ministry, the Japanese foreign minister, for his part, said friendly relations between Tehran and Tokyo were of high importance.

The two top diplomats also discussed ongoing efforts aimed at the revival of the nuclear deal, known officially as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

The talks to revive the deal, underway since April 2021 in Vienna, remain stalled since last August due to the policy of procrastination and foot-dragging adopted by the Joe Biden administration in Washington.

Yoshimasa also said he is pleased with the “positive trend” of cooperation between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), referring to recent meetings between the IAEA officials and Iranian authorities to streamline cooperation.

The ministers also exchanged views on the conflict in Ukraine, and the top Iranian diplomat reiterated Tehran’s opposition to the year-long war.

Iran has under the government headed by President Ebrahim Raisi adopted an eastward foreign policy approach, emphasizing the importance of bolstering ties with Asian countries, including Japan.