The joint virtual session between the Iranian Institute for Political and International Studies (IPIS) and Japan’s Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF) about the regional and international issues was held on Monday, January 18, 2021. The session was attended by Mr.Majid Ghafelebashi-Research Deputy at the Center; Mr.Ali khoshroo and Kambiz Sheikh Hassani, Senior Experts at IPIS; Abdolrahim Govahi, Former Iranian Ambassador to Japan; Ms.Junko Chano, Executive Director of SPF; Kota Suechika and Hiroki Sugita, Top Researchers at SPF.

The session was held in the form of a panel titled, “Focusing on the West Asia issue,” to answer the following questions:1) What are the latest developments in West Asia? (2) What is the role of trans-regional powers in intensifying tensions in the Persian Gulf region? (3) How the JCPOA agreement was influenced by recent developments? (4) What impacts will the new US administration have on the international issues? (5) What is the role of Japan in the regional and international developments?

 Here are the most important issues touched upon at the session:

Considering recent developments, Japan can play a major and constructive role in expanding peace and stability in the West Asia region; because this country’s foreign policy has been usually focused on keeping regional peace and stability and expanding cooperation. In doing so, Japan wants to pursue the Middle East détente and peace process to create balance in the region.

Regional developments in the past four years have had important turns, which will impact the future trends. The existing West Asia crises, including the Syrian war, threaten the regional and international security. The issue of Palestine and its occupation by Israel pose another threat to the region. Therefore, the only way out of these regional threats and crises is expanding cooperation and multilaterism.

By adopting a unilateral approach, the US has had much negative impacts on world security and the international and even domestic policies of the countries. In this relation, the unilateral US sanctions against certain countries such as Iran have incurred great losses to even the US allies.

With unconditional return to the JCPOA and fully meeting its commitments, the US can provide worthy help in the regional peace, security and stability. Iran too, has always declared its readiness, in case the other participating parties to the JCPOA meet their commitments, to immediately comply with the JCPOA terms.