Iran, Japan Weigh Plans to Broaden Ties

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Seyyed Abbas Araqchi and Senior Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Mori Takeo met in Tehran on Saturday for the 26th round of Iran-Japan political negotiations.

In the meeting, the two sides had plain talks about the bilateral relations, the ways to expand the ties, the developments in relation to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), as well as the situation in the Persian Gulf region and the West Asia.

The two deputy ministers also highlighted the significance of Japanese Prime Minister Abe’s recent visit to Tehran, and expressed willingness to continue high-profile political consultations.

Earlier in the day, the visiting Japanese diplomat had held a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who hailed as good and constructive the ties between the two countries.

In his first visit to Tehran since the 1979 Revolution, Japan’s Prime Minister Abe visited Tehran on June 13, and held talks with top Iranian officials during his two-day trip.

He held talks with Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in a visit that was reportedly aimed at mediating between Tehran and Washington.

Abe is going to hold another meeting with President Rouhani in September on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.