Tehran – Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian has announced that Japan has proposed an initiative to revive negotiations and reinstate the nuclear deal that was signed between Iran and the P5+1 countries (Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the US) in 2015.
According to Kyodo News, Abdollahian expressed his positive view of any initiative from Japan that aligns with Iran’s interests and supports the constructive role of Japan in reviving the nuclear deal. He revealed that he received the proposal during his visit to Tokyo last month, where he met with Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and former Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa.
Abdollahian attributed the delays in the negotiations’ progress to excessive demands by the US, Britain, France, and Germany, as well as interference by other countries in Iran’s domestic affairs, particularly regarding protests related to the death of Iranian woman Mahsa Amini last year.
The 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), outlined various commitments for Iran. These included the elimination of medium-enriched uranium, a 98 percent reduction in low-enriched uranium stockpiles, and a two-thirds reduction in gas centrifuges for a period of 13 years. Iran also agreed to limit uranium enrichment to 3.67 percent for 15 years.
However, the agreement faced a setback in 2018 when former US President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the deal, citing concerns over Iran’s ballistic missile program and regional proxy activities.
Negotiations to revive the nuclear deal resumed under the administration of US President Joe Biden, with the aim of rejoining the agreement. The most recent meeting between Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida on September 20 in New York revolved around security issues, bilateral relations, and the nuclear deal.
During the meeting, Kishida reaffirmed Japan’s consistent support for the nuclear deal and urged Iran to take constructive measures. The involvement of Japan, a key ally and mediator, adds a significant dimension to the ongoing negotiations and signals the international community’s commitment to finding a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issue.
As negotiations continue, the hope is that all parties involved will demonstrate flexibility and goodwill to reach a mutually beneficial agreement that ensures the peaceful use of nuclear energy and fosters regional stability.
