Japan urges Iran to reduce tensions

Japanese PM Shinzo Abe visited Iran to solve the tensions between US and Iran. The US pulled out of the Iran Nuclear Deal last year and slapped sanctions on Iran. The sanctions are taking a heavy toll on Iranian people.

Tehran: Visiting Japanese Prime minister Shinzo Abe, urged Iran on Wednesday to play a constructive role in bringing down the heightened tension in the region.

Abe was addressing the press in Tehran along with Hassan Rouhani, the Iranian Prime Minister.

While acknowledging the importance of Iran in the region, Abe said that the current situation there is very volatile and it might cause accidental conflict between Iran and the US. "At the moment, tension is rising the Middle East region and there is possibility of an accidental conflict as pointed out by experts, but a military conflict should prevented at all costs. Peace and stability in the Middle East will benefit not only this region but also the whole world. Nobody would like a war to happen and Japan hopes to be able to make any effort it can and to do its utmost to reduce tension. This is the goal of my trip", Abe said .

Iranian PM Rouhani said that his country does not want to start a war with the US, but if it is attacked Iran would give a befitting reply. "We will not be starting any war in the region, even with the United States. But if a war wants to start, we will give a crushing response", Rouhani warned.

He further held the US sanctions responsible for the current tension in the region. "In today's talks I emphasised that if we are witnessing some tensions, they stem from the economic war of America against the Iranian nation. Whenever this war stops, we will see a very positive development in the region and the world", Rouhani said.

The US pulled out of the Iran Nuclear Deal last year and slapped sanctions on Iran. The sanctions are taking a heavy toll on Iranian people. In a show of defiance Iran partially withdrew from the Nuclear Deal recently and warned other signatories that it would take drastic steps in future if necessary.

Meanwhile the US has deployed an aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf and stationed B2 bombers in a nearby air base, citing security threats on US interests from Iran and its allies, an allegation Iran has rubbished.

Japanese PM Shinzo Abe visited Iran to diffuse the tensions.