Abe Preparing for Iran Visit

EghtesadOnline: Japan's government officials are reportedly making final preparations for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's planned visit to Tehran next month to hold meetings with top Iranian officials.

News ID: ۷۴۷۴۴۵

29 May 2019

During his talks with US President Donald Trump in Tokyo on Monday, Abe reiterated his intention to act as an intermediary between Iran and the US.

The Trump administration has sent an aircraft carrier strike group and a bomber taskforce to the Middle East, citing alleged threats from Iran. The move has increased tensions between the two countries.

Trump has reportedly agreed to Abe's offer and expressed hope that the visit will come as soon as possible, according to Financial Tribune.

Japanese officials have begun final adjustments for the mid-June meetings with Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and President Hassan Rouhani, NHK reported.

Abe will be the first Japanese prime minister to visit Iran since former prime minister, Takeo Fukuda, visited in 1978, shortly before the Islamic Revolution.

Japan has maintained good relations with Iran. Abe has emphasized bilateral ties and held meetings with Rouhani every year since 2013 on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.