Japanese PM Takaichi urges Iran to secure free and safe Hormuz passage
Sanae Takaichi called for Houthi restraint, an early easing of military tensions and progress on Iran’s nuclear issue during talks with Masoud Pezeshkian.
- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi urged Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to ensure that vessels can pass through the Strait of Hormuz freely and safely, without extra charges like transit fees.
- Takaichi recommended that Iran hold consultations with the international community and other countries that use the key waterway for crude oil shipments.
- The Japanese PM also reiterated the need to reduce military tensions surrounding Iran and stabilize the situation as soon as possible.
- During the call, Takaichi also asked Iran to press Houthi militants to exercise restraint and stop attacking ships in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, another key maritime chokepoint.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian that vessels should be able to use the Strait of Hormuz freely and safely without facing extra charges, including transit fees, during a telephone call on Wednesday (August 12).
The 20-minute exchange was the fourth conversation between them since US and Israeli strikes on Iran began in late February.
Takaichi urged Pezeshkian to hold careful consultations with the international community, including countries using the waterway, a key route for crude oil shipments.
She also reiterated the need to reduce military tensions surrounding Iran and stabilise the situation as soon as possible.
“We strongly hope that a final agreement will be reached (between Iran and the United States), including on Tehran’s nuclear issue, at an early time,” Takaichi said.
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait near the Red Sea was another focus.
Yemen’s pro-Iran Houthi militant group has reportedly been attacking cargo ships in the waterway, which is also a key maritime chokepoint.
Takaichi asked Tehran to press the Houthis to exercise restraint.
“We’re deeply concerned about the current situation in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait from the perspective of energy security,” she said.
According to Takaichi, Pezeshkian explained that Iran was working towards a solution while continuing dialogue with Saudi Arabia.
Takaichi also sought a swift resolution regarding the treatment of a Japanese citizen detained by Iranian authorities and released on bail in April.
The person is believed to be the Tehran bureau chief of Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK), Japan’s public broadcaster.
[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
