Abe, Trump Discuss Iran in Telephone Conversation

The phone conversation, which Abe told reporters took place at Trump's request, came on the same day that Rouhani wrapped up his two-day visit to Japan, AFP reported.

Abe did not refer to Iran when he met with reporters just before midnight Saturday, but a Japanese government source said Abe did talk to Trump about his discussions with Rouhani.

The Abe-Trump phone call lasted about 75 minutes, according to Kyodo.

Heading a high-ranking delegation, President Rouhani paid a visit to the Japanese capital to hold talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and other senior officials of the country on issues of mutual interest.

The visit came against the backdrop of increased tensions between Iran and the US with Washington imposing new sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

The US has ratcheted up pressure on Iran since last year after withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Since then, the administration of US President Donald Trump has been trying to reduce Iran’s oil exports to “zero,” and has sent an aircraft carrier strike group, a bomber squad, an amphibious assault ship, and a Patriot missile battery to the Middle East to try to stack up pressure on Tehran.

Iranian officials, however, have dismissed such moves as psychological warfare, saying the country has its own ways of circumventing the American bans.

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