Japan said Friday it was working with Iranian authorities to free a student kidnapped by bandits, saying it was unclear how long he would be held captive.

Iran and experts from the UN nuclear watchdog are satisfied with the results of the recent talks on Tehran’s controversial nuclear program, Iran’s deputy nuclear negotiator said.

Most of the Middle East on Friday marked the start of the feast marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, with crisis, violence, fear and isolation all casting a pall over one of the happiest dates on the Islamic calendar.