Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is considering a state visit to Iran in July as Tokyo is seeking to strengthen economic ties with Tehran, government sources have said.
The visit may take place as early as mid-July as part of Abe 's tour of the Middle East and Europe, Kyodon News reported, noting that the itinerary will be announced soon.
"If realized, it will be the first trip to Iran by a sitting Japanese prime minister since Takeo Fukuda visited the country in 1978," the news agency wrote.
According to the report, the Japanese PM is expected to meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and ensure him of Tokyo's continued support for the Iran nuclear deal despite US President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the landmark multinational agreement on May 8.
