Okada conveys concerns to Iran over nuke development

TOKYO, July 15 Kyodo -
Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada conveyed his concerns Thursday to a senior
Iranian official over Tehran's nuclear development, urging the country ''not to
cause misunderstanding in the international community, for the sake of the
Iranian people.''
Okada met with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Asia and Pacific Affairs
Mohammad Ali Fathollahi and told him that Japan ''extremely regrets'' Iran's
ongoing nuclear program.
He requested that Iran halt its uranium enrichment activities and make
continued efforts to allay international concern over its nuclear program,
according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry.
Fathollahi told the Japanese foreign minister at the outset of the talks, which
were open to the media, that he believes continuing dialogue between Iran and
Japan will deepen mutual understanding.
The Iranian deputy minister said Tehran will continue its dialogue with other
countries to diplomatically settle the nuclear standoff. He also sought Japan's
cooperation in assisting reconstruction in Afghanistan, the ministry said.
On June 9, the U.N. Security Council adopted a resolution to impose fresh
sanctions on Iran, as the country continued to defy international calls to
comply with its International Atomic Energy Agency obligations in relation to
its nuclear program.
Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear program is strictly for
peaceful purposes.
Fathollahi is visiting Japan for regular bilateral vice minister-level talks.
Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Kenichiro Sasae and other officials
participated in the discussions, which took up Iran's nuclear program as well
as regional issues related to the Middle East and Asia, according to the
Japanese Foreign Ministry.
==Kyodo