Japan Raises Concerns over Iran's Nuclear Enrichment

On Monday, Japan expressed concern over Iran's advancing uranium enrichment program and the Middle East country's suspected supply of combat drones to Moscow for Russia's war on Ukraine.

Japan's Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi raised the two issues during talks with his visiting Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amirabdollahian, according to the foreign ministry in Tokyo. 

the Japanese Foreign Ministry emphasized the need for Iran to take constructive actions while discussing key issues such as the usage of Iranian drones in Russia's war on Ukraine and Iran's nuclear activities. 

Although further details were not disclosed, the ministry expressed serious concern about Iran's drone supply to Russia and called for Tehran's full cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Iranian state television reported that Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian denied providing drones to Russia and reiterated Iran's commitment to pursuing dialogue and finding a political resolution to end the ongoing conflict.

The Iranian diplomat also urged the United States and the West to refrain from making baseless accusations against Iran.

Japan affirmed its support for the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers aimed at controlling Iran's enrichment in exchange for lifting economic sanctions. 

However, following the U.S. withdrawal from the agreement in 2018 and the subsequent reimposition of sanctions, Iran has escalated its nuclear activities, surpassing the deal's limits on uranium enrichment and stockpiling, and constructing an underground nuclear facility potentially impervious to U.S. weapons.

During discussions with Japan's Special Advisor for Foreign Affairs, Junichi Hayashi, Amirabdollahian expressed Iran's willingness to reactivate the nuclear agreement through negotiations and appreciated Japan's diplomatic efforts.