Iranian Envoy Downplays Japan's Sanctions

Iranian Ambassador to Tokyo Abbas Araghchi underlined on Saturday (4 September 2010) that a recent approval by the Japanese government on imposing the UN Security Council sanctions against Iran would not affect economic relations between the two countries. "Our general assessment shows that the status quo of economic interactions between Tehran and Tokyo will not change so much by the approval," Araghchi said. "For instance, Iran's crude sales to Japan and much of the two countries' common trade ties will continue" in future irrespective of the recent approval, he added.

The Envoy said the approval on Iran had been ratified by the Japanese government as "a complementary measure within the framework of the (UNSC) Resolution 1929 (against Iran)", meaning that Tokyo would not impose any future sanctions or join the West's unilateral boycotts against Tehran. Meantime, the Iranian diplomat advised the Japanese officials to observe moderation in their relations with Iran and do not join the illogical pressures exerted by the US and the EU on Tehran.

Araghchi's remarks came after Japan tightened its sanctions against Iran on 3 September 2010, banning new investment in energy development, restricting financial dealings and freezing the assets of people and institutions linked to Tehran's nuclear activities. Reports quoted the Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada as saying that Tokyo would urge other nations to refrain from taking advantage of the tighter sanctions on Iran - an apparent reference to China. Beijing has opposed what it sees as overly sweeping steps against Iran, although China did support the UN sanctions resolution passed in June.

Last year, a Chinese state oil major signed a US$2 billion agreement to help develop Iran's Azadegan Oil Field. This followed an earlier drastic reduction of the stake held in the field by INPEX, a Japanese oil and gas company. Japan's new measures were not expected to affect INPEX's remaining 10% Azadegan stake, Reuters quoted Masayuki Naoshima, the Economy, Trade and Industry Minister, as saying. - Fars