Tokyo, Japan – Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held her third emergency telephone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. The call focused primarily on maritime developments in the Persian Gulf region.
During the conversation, Takaichi stressed the need to ensure the safe and free passage of all vessels through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, regardless of their nationality or flag. She also emphasized the vital importance of this waterway to global trade and the economy.
Japanese warnings and urgent maritime demands
In a press statement following the approximately 15-minute call, the Japanese Prime Minister explained that she reiterated her demand to the Iranian leadership to allow all tankers and ships, particularly Japanese and other Asian vessels, to pass freely and safely. Furthermore, she urged that this be done as quickly as possible to prevent any disruptions to supply chains, according to Bloomberg News.
During the call, Takaichi reiterated Tokyo’s firm stance calling for de-escalation in the region. She noted that “de-escalation can only be achieved through constructive dialogue and diplomacy.”
The Prime Minister added, “I expressed to President Pezeshkian my hope that the Islamic Republic of Iran will continue to demonstrate the utmost flexibility in order to reach a comprehensive agreement as soon as possible that guarantees the stability of international navigation.”
Iran’s position: Facilitating aid to Japan and criticizing US sanctions.
For his part, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian responded relatively positively to the Japanese demands. He affirmed that Tehran was ready to cooperate and would work to ensure the passage of Japanese commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz “more easily and without any problems” they might encounter on the ground.
However, Pezeshkian did not neglect to point out the political roots of the crisis from his country’s perspective. He drew the Japanese Prime Minister’s attention to the fact that the primary obstacle and the core problem in this matter did not originate in Tehran. Rather, it lay in “the restrictions, obstacles, and severe sanctions imposed by the United States on Iranian maritime shipping and foreign trade.” He also asserted that American pressure was the main reason behind the tense situation in the region’s vital waterways.
Tokyo’s concerns regarding energy security
This intensified Japanese diplomatic activity reflects Tokyo’s growing concerns about potential damage to its oil and trade interests. This comes amid East Asian countries’ heavy reliance on energy resources flowing daily through the Strait of Hormuz, prompting them to play a mediating role to bridge the gap between Iran and the international community.
