Back in Tokyo from a controversial trip to Iran, former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama on Monday denied criticizing the International Atomic Energy Agency "for applying double standards" to Iran and said a press statement Tehran issued to that effect was completely false.
"It's a total concoction and it's regrettable," Hatoyama told Diet reporters Tuesday night.
The Iranian press statement said Hatoyama criticized the IAEA "for applying double standards toward certain countries, including Iran," during a surprise meeting with fiery Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Sunday.