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TOKYO (AP) — President Donald Trump said Monday that he would back the Japanese prime minister’s efforts to open communications with Iran, citing Japan’s good relations with the U.S. nemesis in the Middle East.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is considering a visit to Iran next month amid rising tensions between Tehran and Washington over Iran’s nuclear program and destabilizing activities in the region.

TOKYO (AP) — The Latest on President Donald Trump’s visit to Japan (all times local):

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11:20 a.m.

President Donald Trump says he and Japanese Prime Minister have talked about Iran amid rising tension between Tehran and Washington.

With Abe at his side, Trump told reporters at Akasaka Palace on Monday that “nobody wants to see terrible things happen, especially me.” The U.S. president also said that “I do believe Iran would like to talk and if they’d like to talk, we’ll talk also,” adding that Abe has a “very good relationship with Iran.”

TEHRAN, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Ministry on Sunday denied that Iran had started talks with the United States over the mutual differences.

"There are no direct or indirect talks between Iran and the United States," Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said.

Mousavi made the remarks in response to the Kuwaiti media's Sunday reports that Tehran and Washington have started their negotiations over disputes.

LUGANSK, May 26. /TASS/: A Ukrainian drone that was on a reconnaissance mission near the village of Schastye in the Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR) was downed by LPR militias, Ivan Filiponenko, a spokesman for the LPR’s defense ministry, said on Sunday.

BAGHDAD (AP) — For years, Karar Hussein has sold sweets in his shop near the entrance to one of Shiite Islam’s holiest shrines, accepting whatever currency was offered to him by his clients, many of them religious tourists from neighboring Iran. But lately, when Iranian pilgrims ask about prices, he tells them he can only sell if they pay in Iraqi currency. They often walk out, disappointed.

TOKYO (AP) — The Latest on President Donald Trump’s trip to Japan (all times local):

9:20 p.m.

Japanese sumo fans say they’re happy President Donald Trump took the opportunity during his visit to Tokyo to watch the national sport in person — even if his attendance caused some changes to the usual arrangement for fans.

Trump presented a special trophy to the winner of a tournament after Sunday’s match.

Shinichiro Idehara, a 54-year-old government employee, bought a ticket after learning Trump would be going.

BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq offered Sunday to mediate in the crisis between its two key allies, the United States and Iran, amid escalating Middle East tensions and as Tehran’s nuclear deal with world powers steadily unravels.

Iraqi foreign minister, Mohammed al-Hakim, made the offer during a joint news conference in Baghdad with visiting Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif.

26 May 2019; MEMO: US President Donald Trump, declaring a national emergency because of tensions with Iran, swept aside objections from Congress on Friday to complete the sale of over $8 billion worth of weapons to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan, Reuters reports.

The Trump administration informed congressional committees that it will go ahead with 22 military sales to the Saudis, United Arab Emirates and Jordan.

26 May 2019; DW: The US has issued an ultimatum to Turkey: If the country buys the S-400 missile defense system from Russia, sanctions will be imposed. The dispute goes beyond the weaponry. Differences on Syria and Iran are at play.

What's the dispute?

TOKYO (AP) — Golf never seems to be far behind whenever President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe get together.

Trump was headed to Mobara Country Club, south of Tokyo, on Sunday morning for a round with the Japanese leader — the fifth time they’ll play together.

It’s part of a continuing charm offense by Abe to stay on Trump’s good side amid trade tensions between the two countries and the continued threat of North Korea.