TOKYO –
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held a telephone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on August 12, urging an early easing of military tensions in the Middle East while stressing the importance of free and safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz without additional costs.
The call, the fourth between the two leaders, began at 4:20 p.m. and lasted about 20 minutes as they discussed the latest situation in the Middle East.
Takaichi said the situation surrounding the Strait of Hormuz had reached an important stage, with Iran continuing discussions with related countries toward reopening the waterway. She told Pezeshkian that it was essential to reduce current military tensions and bring the situation under control as soon as possible.
She also reiterated Japan’s position that the United States and Iran should continue talks based on a memorandum agreed to by both sides in June and reach an early final agreement covering the nuclear issue and other matters.
Takaichi said Japan strongly hopes that diplomatic efforts will lead to an early calming of the situation.
On the Strait of Hormuz, Takaichi emphasized that free and safe navigation without additional costs is important and urged Iran to engage fully in discussions with the international community, including countries that use the strait.
Takaichi also expressed deep concern about conditions in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait from the standpoint of energy security and called on Iran to strongly press the Houthis to exercise restraint.
She again requested an early resolution of the case involving one Japanese national detained in Iran in April, citing the need to protect Japanese citizens.
Pezeshkian explained Iran’s position on the Strait of Hormuz, including the current state of discussions with Oman and the outlook for those talks.
Regarding the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Pezeshkian said Iran was working to resolve the issue while maintaining dialogue with Saudi Arabia.
Takaichi said Japan would continue close communication with Iran.
Source: TBS
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