Japan Calls For Joint Effort With Iran Against Islamic State Militants

Ali Akbar Salehi and Shinzo Abe — Iran's head of the country's Atomic Energy Organization, Ali Akbar Salehi (L) shakes hands with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the start of their talks at Abe's official residence in Tokyo November 5, 2015. Iran has begun shutting down uranium enrichment centrifuges under the terms of a deal struck with six world powers in July on limiting its nuclear programme, Tehran's atomic energy chief said on November 2, 2015 during a visit to Tokyo. REUTERS/Eugene Hoshiko/Pool

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has been invited by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe who asked for a joint effort against terrorism.

Abe appreciated Iran’s efforts to reach the agreement as he stressed on the importance of its proper implementation, Press TV reported. The Japanese PM, while pointing towards the political unrest in the Middle East, called for further cooperation between the two countries to fight terrorist organizations, especially Islamic State.

Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, is presently on a state visit to Tokyo. Salehi appreciated Japan’s support during the nuclear deal negotiations between Iran and six world powers. The support eventually led to the realization of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

“The IAEA will announce its evaluation of Iran’s peaceful nuclear program by December 15, and we predict that the Implementation Day would be in late-December,” Tasnim News quoted Salehi as saying.

The Iranian official welcomed Japan’s contribution in establishing a nuclear safety center in the Middle Eastern country. He referred to a joint nuclear statement issued by Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Salehi invited Abe to Iran as he asked for the expansion of bilateral trade and economic relations between Japan and Iran. He stressed on the development of further bilateral cooperation on shared production and marketing.

Iran suffered sanctions due to its nuclear energy program. Tehran managed to reach an agreement with Russia, China, Britain, France, Germany and the United States in July. As a result, financial sanctions against the Islamic republic will eventually be lifted.