Iranian Envoy Calls for Japan Govt Measures to Continue Trade

September 13, 2018

Tokyo- The new Iranian ambassador to Japan on Wednesday urged the Japanese government to take measures to maintain bilateral trade amid mounting U.S. pressure on the Middle East country.

While expressing his gratitude for Japan's consistent support for a nuclear deal between Iran and major world powers, Morteza Rahmani Movahed, who assumed the post in July, told a press conference at the Japan National Press Club that he hopes the Japanese government will protect companies and banks to dispel their worries about trade with Iran.

Following the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear deal and the relaunch of sanctions against Iran, Japanese companies and commercial banks suspended business with Iran.

In particular, the suspension of bank transactions has caused a crisis to businesses in the fields of clothing, drugs and medical services, Rahmani said.

The Iranian government hopes to provide support for Japanese importers such as insurance related to crude oil shipments and financial settlements if they hope to continue importing from Iran, he said.

He criticized the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump for its unilateral withdrawal from the nuclear deal in May, saying that the U.S, government cannot be trusted.

Rahmani stressed that even after the pullout, Iran keeps implementing the deal. But the deal will die if other countries bow to U.S. pressure, he said.

The ambassador also showed expectations that Japan can play an important role in helping maintain the implementation of the deal. Jiji Press