Japan calls for dialogue, peaceful solution to Iran’s nuclear issue

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - Japan on Monday called for dialogue and a peaceful solution to the Iranian nuclear issue.

Tokyo’s call for a peaceful solution during a phone conversation between Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and his Iranian counterpart Seyyed Abbas Araghchi comes after China, Russia, and Tehran on Friday called for an end to “illegal unilateral sanctions, pressure tactics, and threats of force."

Iwaya expressed “deep concern about the current situation” while stressing the importance of cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, Japan’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Urging Tehran to “take constructive and concrete actions in order to advance dialogue towards a peaceful resolution of the nuclear issue,” Iwaya said Japan would “continue to make diplomatic efforts towards the peace and stability of the region.”

Araghchi explained the Iranian side's position and efforts over the issue, the statement added.

The phone call between top Japanese and Iranian diplomats comes after Beijing hosted a trilateral meeting among the senior foreign ministry officials of China, Iran, and Russia over Tehran’s nuclear issues.

Later, China put forward its five-point proposal on the Iranian nuclear issue which includes “peaceful settlement of disputes through political and diplomatic means,” opposing the use of force and sanctions.

While urging conditions for resuming dialogue and negotiation, it called on all parties to “fully respect Iran's right to peaceful use of nuclear energy as a party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.”

The 2015 nuclear deal, mediated by world powers and known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, sought to curb Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.

However, in 2018, the first Trump administration unilaterally withdrew from the agreement, reigniting tensions between the two nations.

Under former US President Joe Biden, diplomatic efforts were made to restore the deal, with multiple rounds of EU-mediated negotiations in Vienna. However, the talks failed to yield any breakthroughs, leaving the agreement effectively defunct.

Since October 2023, tensions between Tehran and Washington have escalated further, fueled by the wars in Gaza and Lebanon. Iranian authorities have openly accused the US of complicity in the conflicts.