Japan reiterates support for Iran nuclear deal

TEHRAN, May 12 (MNA) – Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono called his Iranian counterpart late on Thursday to reassure that his country will keep respecting the nuclear agreement of July 14, 2015, regardless of US pullout. Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono reiterated that his country will keep supporting the nuclear deal of 2015, also dubbed as the JCPOA, which was signed by the sextet including US. The Japanese diplomatic chief made the remark while on the phone with the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mohammad Javad Zarif late on Thursday. Mr. Kono highlighted that what matters the most is maintaining the implementation of the nuclear agreement by Iran and other sides, regardless of US compliance or withdrawl. According to Japanese officials, Mr. Zarif has told his Japanese counterpart under what conditions Iran will keep abiding by the nuclear deal but the details have not been disclosed yet. Late on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump unilaterally announced that US will not stay in the nuclear agreement and will levy more sanctions against Iran. However, the other signatory states have formally declared that they will keep abiding by the agreement and will do their best to preserve it. Iran has given the European sides of the deal a time limit to give the country a guarantee that the JCPOA will continue to benefit Iran despite Washington's withdrawal.