During a phone conversation on Monday, Araghchi and Japan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Motegi Toshimitsu discussed the latest developments in bilateral relations and international issues.

The Iranian minister informed his Japanese counterpart on Tehran’s stance regarding its peaceful nuclear program and the moves by the United States and European troika – Britain, France, and Germany – in this regard.

Iran had held five rounds of talks on a replacement for the 2015 nuclear deal before the US-Israeli airstrikes on the country and its nuclear facilities in mid-June.

The United States and its European allies have repeatedly called for any future agreement to address not only Iran’s nuclear activities but also its ballistic missile program. Tehran has consistently rejected that demand, insisting its military capabilities are non-negotiable.

On August 28, the European trio invoked the “snapback” mechanism to restore UN sanctions, further complicating diplomacy to resolve tensions.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Iran remains open to serious negotiations with the United States, but only if Washington shifts from imposing demands.

Araghchi also offered his congratulations once again to Motegi on his appointment as Japan’s foreign minister and expressed hope that Tehran and Tokyo would continue close and effective cooperation, given the history of constructive mutual ties.

The Japanese foreign minister, for his part, reiterated his country’s commitment to playing a constructive role in promoting peace and stability in West Asia.

Motegi said Japan supports political initiatives to resolve international issues.

According to a press release by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Motegi emphasized the need for the resumption of talks between the United States and Iran toward a resolution of Iran’s nuclear issue.

He called on Iran to immediately resume full cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

On September 9, the Iranian foreign minister and IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi reached an agreement on practical modalities to resume cooperation after a meeting in the Egyptian capital of Cairo.

It came after the Iranian Parliament unanimously passed legislation requiring the administration to suspend all cooperation with the IAEA following the Israeli-US aggression against three nuclear sites in a grave violation of the United Nations Charter, international law, and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

However, the IAEA’s Board of Governors narrowly approved an anti-Iran resolution on November 20, prompting Tehran to declare the Cairo agreement null and void.