Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wants Japan to help with nuclear safety cooperation. Additionally, he said Japan can share its knowledge to protect Iran’s nuclear sites. Araghchi said Iran’s nuclear facilities were heavily damaged in recent strikes by Israel and the United States. He added that these attacks were “perhaps the biggest violation of international law” against a monitored nuclear facility.
Notably, Japan has experience from the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings and the Fukushima nuclear accident. This experience can help Iran improve safety and prevent radiation risks. Araghchi emphasized that this cooperation would focus on technical safety, not inspections. Iran faces new safety and security challenges. As a result, the June strikes caused structural damage and raised the risk of radiation leaks. Moreover, there is no clear procedure for handling attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities.
Earlier, Iran and the international agency responsible for nuclear oversight agreed on ways to inspect and stabilize damaged sites. However, Araghchi said the plan was weakened when the United States and European countries tried to restore sanctions. Regarding nuclear talks with the United States, Araghchi said Iran is open to diplomacy but only if negotiations are fair and balanced. On the other hand, he criticized the U.S. approach as demanding dictation instead of real negotiation.
The 2015 nuclear deal limited Iran’s uranium enrichment in exchange for lifting sanctions. Afterward, the U.S. left the agreement in 2018, and Iran increased its nuclear activities. Araghchi said the main issue remains the U.S. refusal to recognize Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear technology. He said Iran is willing to accept limits on enrichment levels and centrifuge types.
Talks can only move forward if the United States respects Iran’s nuclear rights and lifts sanctions. Furthermore, nuclear safety cooperation with Japan could help prevent future risks and improve the technical safety of Iran’s facilities. Araghchi concluded that nuclear safety cooperation is urgent. Therefore, he called on Japan to share its expertise to help Iran secure its nuclear sites and reduce the risks of damage or accidents.