Rouhani set for Japan visit to salvage Iran deal
A visit by Iran's president to Japan is being finalized as Tokyo intensifies mediation efforts in search of a settlement to Tehran-Washington tensions and an end to the stalemate over the Iran nuclear deal.
Iranian and Japanese officials are reportedly finalizing the arrangements for a visit by President Hassan Rouhani to Japan. The host, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, has been leading a mediation drive aimed at resolving all-time-high tensions between Washington and Tehran over the Iran nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Without specifying a date, Abe said earlier this week that Rouhani's trip was being deliberated. However, the Japanese press is reporting that the visit could happen as early as Dec. 20. Also, according to diplomatic sources in Tokyo, following talks with the White House, Abe has received the go-ahead to sit down with Rouhani but has been asked to communicate the summit details.
"The news that the Americans gave the green light to the Rouhani trip to Japan has been covered by a pro-Rouhani outlet as an achievement. … How humiliating!" tweeted Abdollah Ganji, the editor of the hard-line Javan newspaper, which has been a staunch critic of the Rouhani government's engagement with the West.
Only last week, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was in the Japanese capital to relay Rouhani's message, including his willingness for a Tokyo visit at an early date.
