Japan PM to act as intermediary between U.S. and Iran?

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is considering visiting Iran as early as mid-June, as international concern grows about rising tension between Iran and the United States.

Abe is likely to discuss his possible Iran visit with U.S. President Donald Trump when the president visits Japan on May 25-28 and a final decision may rest on the results of that, NHK national television said.

The news comes a week after Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif visited Japan and met Abe and Foreign Minister Taro Kono on May 16.

During his visit to Japan, Zarif said that Iran was committed to its obligations under an international nuclear deal despite the U.S. withdrawal from the landmark agreement. He called the reimposition of U.S. sanctions "unacceptable", Reuters recalls.