BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 12. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has called on Iran to use its influence to help prevent further escalation by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea.
According to the Japanese presidency, Takaichi made the request during a phone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
The discussion took place as the Japanese leader welcomed what she described as progress in negotiations between Iran and Oman over the Strait of Hormuz and expressed hope that the strategic waterway would be reopened once talks are successfully concluded.
Takaichi also reiterated Japan’s support for diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the war, saying that such an approach would serve the long-term interests of Iran and the wider region.
Pezeshkian thanked Japan for supporting diplomatic efforts and said Iran had “never sought instability” in the region. He accused the United States and Israel of undermining regional peace through what he described as aggression against Iran.
The Iranian president said Tehran had acted in accordance with international law and had consistently sought to improve relations with neighbouring countries. He expressed hope that Japan’s diplomatic initiatives would contribute to restoring peace and stability in the region.
