Japan Expresses Concern Over Iran's Uranium Enrichment Program and Drone Supply to Russia

On Monday, Japan expressed concern regarding the advancement of the Islamic Republic's uranium enrichment program and the supply of Iranian drones for Russia's war against Ukraine. According to Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yoshimasa Hayashi, the country's foreign minister, raised these two issues in a conversation with his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. The ministry's statement noted that Hayashi urged Iran to act constructively in this regard but did not provide further details. Associated Press reports that Iranian drones have been a key element in the continuation of Russia's war against Ukraine. The Islamic Republic has provided contradictory statements regarding the drones. Tehran initially denied involvement and later claimed that the drones were sold before Russia's attack on Ukraine. However, according to the report, an examination of Iranian-made drones used in the Ukraine war shows they carried explosives. In June, the White House announced that Iran was supplying materials to Russia to help the Kremlin use drones continuously in the Ukraine war, including establishing a drone production facility in eastern Moscow. Japan, a U.S. ally and member of the advanced G7 nations, has joined sanctions against Moscow while providing humanitarian aid and non-lethal defense equipment to Ukraine. The Japanese foreign minister also expressed serious concern over the expansion of Iran's nuclear activities and emphasized Tehran's full and unconditional cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency. The ministry's statement indicated that Hayashi reaffirmed Japan's support for the nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers (JCPOA), which curbed Iran's enrichment in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. Associated Press reports that since the U.S. withdrawal from this agreement, Iran has been advancing its nuclear program, openly exceeding the agreement's limitations on enrichment and uranium stockpiles, and has constructed a new underground nuclear facility likely impervious to U.S. weapons. According to the report, experts say that if Iran wishes, it could now produce a nuclear bomb. A U.S. intelligence assessment released in July states that Iran is not currently seeking nuclear weapons but has increased activities that could assist in their development. Amir-Abdollahian told Hayashi that Iran is seeking ways to reactivate the nuclear agreement through negotiation and appreciated Japan's diplomatic efforts. Sullivan: We are not close to a nuclear agreement with Iran; I have deep respect for Robert Malley. "Irrefutable" evidence of the Islamic Republic's involvement in the Ukraine war is exposed. Display of downed Iranian-made drones at the U.S. Department of Defense. Russian attacks on Ukrainian grain warehouses; 23 Shahed drones were shot down. The U.S. permanent representative to the UN: The use of Iranian drones is a violation of Security Council Resolution 2231.