WANA (Aug 02) – Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, in an op-ed published by Japanese outlets ahead of the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, called for Japan to join Iran in leading a global movement to eliminate all weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), including nuclear, chemical, and biological arms.

 

He emphasized that Iran, having suffered chemical attacks by Saddam Hussein’s regime during the 1980s war, shares Japan’s pain from WMDs. Araghchi described the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings on August 6 and 9, 1945, as evidence of the destructive power of nuclear weapons. He noted that many survivors still live with lasting physical and psychological trauma and have become tireless advocates for peace and disarmament.

 

Referring to the recent U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities in Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow, carried out in mid-June, Araghchi condemned the attacks as a violation of international law. The facilities, he noted, were under IAEA safeguards.

 

Although no radiation leak was reported, international experts warned of the potential humanitarian and environmental dangers if radioactive materials had escaped. Despite this, IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi failed to condemn the attacks or fulfill his legal obligations, prompting Iran to announce legal action and suspend cooperation with the agency.

 

Araghchi also condemned U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks at the NATO summit in The Hague in June, where he compared the attack on Iran’s nuclear sites to the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings, claiming it “ended the war.” Araghchi called the comparison more than a historical mistake—it was an insult to the memory of the victims and those still suffering.

 

Kazumi Matsui, Mayor of Hiroshima, also criticized Trump’s comments, saying he clearly does not understand the reality of nuclear weapons, which threaten all of humanity, both friend and foe. Matsui announced plans to invite Trump to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum so he can witness the devastation and hear survivors’ testimonies.

 

Araghchi added that Trump’s remarks caused particular outrage in Iran. He also reminded readers of the 1987 chemical attack on the Iranian city of Sardasht during the Iran-Iraq war, which killed 130 people and left thousands permanently disabled.

 

In conclusion, Araghchi wrote: “Few nations understand the irreversible impact of WMDs as deeply as Iran and Japan. Together, we must raise our voices and say: Never again.”

WANA - Arak nuclear facility after U.S. strike

The Arak nuclear facility after U.S. strikes. Social media/ WANA News Agency