Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi are set to convene in New York in September to address various pressing issues, including Iran's nuclear program, according to undisclosed Iranian diplomatic sources cited by Kyodo news agency. With Iran's talks concerning the nuclear deal stagnating amidst discussions with the United States and Europe, Iran aims to foster ties with Japan, a traditionally friendly nation, to evade international isolation. While Japan's foreign ministry is yet to comment on the matter, this meeting will mark the second encounter between Kishida and Raisi, following their previous interaction during their visit to New York for the UN General Assembly in September last year.

The indirect negotiations between Washington and Tehran to resuscitate the nuclear agreement have remained at a standstill since September 2020. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed his openness to any initiatives by Iran to de-escalate its escalating nuclear threat. During their meeting, Kishida and Raisi are anticipated to delve into Iran's alleged provision of armed drones to Russia, a country that has already invaded Ukraine, as stated in the Kyodo report. Additionally, Raisi will extend an invitation to Kishida to visit Iran and propose the unfreezing of Iranian assets worth approximately $3 billion in Japan, which were previously frozen in accordance with U.S. sanctions.

Recently, there were reports suggesting that Iran might release five detained U.S. citizens in exchange for unfreezing $6 billion of Iranian funds in South Korea. Another crucial topic expected to be emphasized by the Japanese side is the safety of the Strait of Hormuz. This vital passageway serves as the primary conduit for crude oil transportation and is responsible for the majority of crude oil shipments destined for Japan, as reported by Kyodo. In light of these developments, it is evident that the upcoming meeting between Kishida and Raisi holds significant importance for both countries and has implications for global affairs.

In related news, foreign ministers from Japan and the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council are also scheduled to gather next month, with energy cooperation being a prominent item on the agenda. This further underscores Japan's commitment to fostering strong ties with the Gulf countries and their shared interests, particularly in the realm of energy collaboration. As the world continues to grapple with various geopolitical challenges, these diplomatic engagements hold the potential to shape the course of international relations and address critical issues in a meaningful way.