Iran Press/Iran news: Rouhani made the remarks at a joint meeting of high-ranking Iranian and Japanese delegations last night here in Tehran.
"We are interested in deep, friendly and long-term relations with Japan," he said, pointing to the concurrence of Japan's prime minister's visit to Tehran on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the establishment of relations between the two countries.
Rouhani stated that the relations between the two countries have been very strong in the past, and we have had lasting cooperation in the areas of dam building, environment and energy, including petrochemicals, Iran Press reported citing official website of the president of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The President also welcomed Japan’s investment in Chabahar Port projects, adding, "Iran welcomes Japan’s investment in Chabahar and the Makran region."
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He went on to refer to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), saying that all countries have specific commitments under Resolution 2231 of the United Nhttp://iranpress.com/search--Abeations, and expressed hope that Japan lives up to its responsibilities in this regard.
"Violating international treaties will not be beneficial for anyone," said the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Stating that we are ready to cooperate and consult with Japan in regional issues, Dr. Rouhani said, "We are ready to cooperate in the region and other parts of the world in combatting terrorism, as well as reconstruction of Syria and ending the war in Yemen and helping the people of the country."
"If it were not for Iran’s work in fighting terrorism, terrorist groups, including ISIS, would have plunged the entire region into crisis," he said, adding, "Regional security is very important for the Islamic Republic of Iran."
"We do not intend to have tensions and war with any country, including the US, but if any act of aggression is conducted against us, our response will be strong and regretting," Dr. Rouhani said.
He said, "Japan is the victim of the United States’ nuclear weapons, and we are the victim of Saddam’s chemical weapons, and we have repeatedly announced that we are seeking peaceful nuclear technology, but not nuclear weapons."
"Today, millions of refugees, including our Afghan brothers and sisters, are living in Iran and hundreds of thousands of students are studying in Iran without any tuition fees," said the President.
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Stating that Iran spends 8 billion dollars a year for housing refugees and fighting drug trafficking, he said: "Continuing this trend could be impossible for us under US’ economic pressures and sanctions."
He also expressed hope that the Japanese PM’s visit to Tehran brings about a good development in economic, cultural, and scientific and technological cooperation between the two countries.
"There are concerns in the region, the responsibility of which falls on the United States, and this tension began with the economic war of the US against the Iranian nation," he continued.
Dr. Rouhani also went on to say, "In fact, if we are all interested in regional security and ease of tensions, we need to begin from where this instability was spurred, and that is economic sanctions against Iran. If these sanctions end, new type of relations will begin in the region."
Welcoming Japan’s readiness to buy Iran’s oil, President Rouhani said: "I hope that negotiations between the two countries for Japan’s investment in southern free zones, especially Chabahar, yield a result soon."
On the matters between Iran and America, he said: "The key to the settlement of the issues is at Washington’s hands and whenever the Americans go beyond just talking and lift illegal sanctions against Iran, conditions will be different."
"With the measures that the US government has taken towards Iran, the people of Iran are angry and I hope that Americans understand that if having fighting a government or army is possible, war with a nation is definitely doomed to failure," he continued.
The President of the Islamic Republic of Iran also expressed happiness over Japan supporting the JCPOA, and said: "We do not want the JCPOA to fail, and the decisions made and measures taken are based on Paragraph 36 of the JCPOA."
"I am very happy that your goal is peace and ease of tensions, and I hope your success in this regard," continued Rouhani.
At the meeting, Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe said: "As Iran’s friend, Japan is concerned about any kind of tensions in the region."
Appreciating Iran’s cooperation with IAEA, he said: "Japan supports JCPOA because it helps establish peace and stability in the region."
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"The Islamic Republic of Iran has a very big role in realisation of peace and stability in the region, and is a very important country," he said.
Shinzo continued: "Survival of the JCPOA is an essential element for trust in international and bilateral relations and Japan will continue its efforts and cooperation for its survival."
He continued: "We have had serious negotiations with the US for keeping our economic relations with Iran, including importing Iran’s oil, and will continue to do so."
The Japanese Prime Minister also described easing of tensions as the most important goal of his visit and said: "I strongly hope that my visit to Iran leads to the ease of tensions and establishment of peace and stability in the region."
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