Iran's Rouhani in Japan to meet Japan PM amid nuke impasse
Source: AP
By MARI YAMAGUCHI
TOKYO (AP) — Iranian President Hassan Rouhani renewed his condemnation of the U.S. for withdrawing from a nuclear agreement and asked for Japan’s help in efforts to maintain the deal as the two leaders met in Tokyo amid a continuing impasse between Tehran and Washington.
Rouhani, the first Iranian president to visit Japan in 19 years, told Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that the nuclear agreement with world powers remained crucial.
“The nuclear deal is an extremely important agreement, and we strongly condemn the U.S. withdrawal, which was one-sided and irrational,” Rouhani said. “We hope that Japan and other countries in the world will make efforts toward maintaining the agreement.”
Abe, in his opening remarks, urged Iran to fully comply with the agreement and play a constructive role in achieving peace and stability in the region. Abe expressed concern about rising tensions in the Middle East and pledged to do as much as possible to help restore regional stability.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, left, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, right, attend a guard of honor guard ceremony at the prime minister's office in Tokyo, Friday, Dec. 20, 2019. Rouhani is in Tokyo to meet with Prime Minister Abe on Friday in hopes of easing a nuclear impasse between Tehran and Washington and reduce tensions in the Middle East. (Du Xiaoyi/Pool Photo via AP)
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