🔺Japan Expresses Concern Over Attacks by the Islamic Republic on Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz

▪ Toshimitsu Motegi, Japan’s foreign minister, in a telephone conversation with Abbas Araghchi, the foreign minister of the Islamic Republic, expressed his concern about the continuation of attacks by the Islamic Republic on civilian vessels and called for “maximum restraint.”

▪ Based on a statement by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during the call five demands from Tokyo—including reducing tensions and resuming negotiations, maximum flexibility, halting attacks on vessels, the resumption of freedom of navigation without additional cost, and containing the Houthis—were conveyed to Araghchi.

▪ In response, Araghchi said there had been “significant progress” in talks with Oman to determine a temporary transit route in the Strait of Hormuz. Japan, however, says the future of the strait should be discussed within the international community, not bilaterally.