OMM Redaksiyası
Japan has urged Iran to show “maximum flexibility” and called for efforts to build “momentum for diplomacy” to end the war between the United States and Iran, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.
Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi made the remarks during a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, according to a ministry statement. Motegi said indirect talks between Washington and Tehran had been under way since the previous week.
The United States and Iran held indirect talks through Qatar in New York last week, on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.
Japan calls for renewed diplomatic efforts
Japan had made consistent efforts to secure an early de-escalation, stabilize the situation and pursue a diplomatic resolution, Motegi said. Tokyo wanted to build momentum for diplomacy with other countries involved, he added.
Motegi also strongly urged Iran to continue showing maximum flexibility, the ministry said. Araghchi briefed him on the status of talks with the United States and Iran’s position.
Tokyo stresses safe passage through key waterways
Referring to a maritime cooperation meeting co-hosted by Japan at the UN the previous week, Motegi underscored the need to restore navigation through key waterways in the region.
He said free and safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait was important, and called for the international community to discuss the future of the Strait of Hormuz. Motegi urged Iran to respond constructively, the statement said.
Conflict and efforts to end it
The United States and Israel launched a war against Iran on Feb. 28. Tehran responded with missile and drone attacks across the region and effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic route for energy supplies. The Pentagon imposed a military blockade of Iranian ports.
Efforts to end the war have continued since a June 18 memorandum of understanding in Islamabad, which aims to pave the way for a final peace deal addressing navigation through the strategic waterway and Iran’s nuclear programme.
