Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday told Iranian President Hassan Rouhani that Japan expects Iran to play a constructive role in stabilizing the Middle East, in the wake of attacks on Saudi Arabia's oil facilities.
Abe also urged Iran to fulfill its responsibility as a nation along the Persian Gulf to ensure the safety of passing ships — a critical issue for Japan as it depends on the Middle East for oil.
The summit was held on the fringes of the U.N. General Assembly, where Rouhani was expected to present a peace plan for the Persian Gulf on Wednesday.