The two sides discussed a broad range of issues such as bilateral ties, and regional and international developments, while also reviewing the roadmap of bilateral relationship for the next year.

Both sides expressed satisfaction over positive effects of using national currencies and also over the increased volume of trades between the two countries in the past year, highlighting the need to further expand ties in areas such as trade, transportation, science and technology, industry, communications, banking, insurance, and investment.

Elsewhere in the meeting, Araghchi said that the issue of Kashmir should be resolved through peaceful approaches and dialogue between India and Pakistan. Pointing to the history of the Iranian nation’s relations with Muslims in Kashmir, he hoped that rights of these Muslims would be respected and the imposed limitations on them would be removed.

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In the meeting, the two sides had plain talks about bilateral relations, the ways to expand the ties, the developments in relation to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), as well as the situation in the Persian Gulf region and the West Asia.

The two deputy ministers also highlighted the significance of Japanese Prime Minister Abe’s recent visit to Tehran, and expressed willingness to continue high-profile political consultations.

The Japanese delegation has earlier held a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Saturday.

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“Despite claims of the British government, the target and destination of this tanker was not Syria. The port that they have named in Syria essentially does not have the capacity for such a supertanker. The target was somewhere else. It was passing through international waters through the Strait of Gibraltar and there is no law that allows Britain to stop this tanker. In our view, the stopping of this ship was maritime robbery and we want this tanker to be freed.”

Iran is continuously in contact with the British government, he said, adding that UK Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Iran Rob Macaire came to the Foreign Ministry on Saturday in addition to his summoning on Thursday.

“We have also invited Spain’s ambassador and there are consultations underway with Spain’s government,” he highlighted, adding that Iran is also following the legal procedures.

“We will try all paths to protect our interests,” Araghchi said, hoping that the issue will be solved with current diplomatic and legal efforts.

The Panama-registered Grace 1 supertanker was detained by Gibraltar on July 4 on suspicion that it was carrying crude oil to Syria in violation of the sanctions. Royal Marines took part in the operation. According to Gibraltar authorities, the 28 crewmembers, citizens of India, Pakistan and Ukraine, are staying aboard the tanker, along with local police and customs officers boarding the vessel for a period of a probe.

Iranian Foreign Ministry condemned the measure as ‘maritime piracy’ and summoned the UK envoy in response. On Friday, Secretary of Iran’s Expediency Council Mohsen Rezaei called for the reciprocal seizure of a British oil tanker in case London refuses to release the vessel.

The post Tanker carrying Iranian oil not headed to Syria: Deputy FM appeared first on Iran News Daily.

The meeting will be co-chaired by Sedat Önal, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, and Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs.

“During the consultations, bilateral relations will be discussed and views on regional and international issues will be exchanged,” adds the statement.

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