U.S. Envoy Says Japan Agrees on Need to Raise Pressure on Iran

A senior U.S. official said Japan agrees on the need to increase pressure on Iran to prevent the Mideast nation from developing nuclear weapons, and sought to ease concerns that doing so will drive up oil prices.

“Increasing pressure could give the Iranians stronger incentive to get to the negotiating table,” Robert Einhorn, the State Department’s special adviser for nonproliferation and arms control, told reporters today in Tokyo after meeting with Japanese officials. “I think there is agreement on that. And my government believes in stepping up pressure against Iran while maintaining stability in the international oil markets.”