📞— Japan’s prime minister Sanae Takaichi, in a telephone call on Tuesday, asked Iran’s president Masoud Pezeshkian to ensure that ships can pass freely and safely through the Strait of Hormuz without any additional cost or fees.

Takaichi also expressed her “deep concern” about the situation in the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait and asked Iran to urge the Houthi Yemeni (Ansarallah) to refrain from provocative actions, citing concerns related to energy security. Pezeshkian said that Iran is working to find a solution and, at the same time, remains in discussions with Saudi Arabia.

He also called for the rapid de-escalation of military tensions in the region and expressed his hope that Iran and the United States would soon reach a final agreement, including on Tehran’s nuclear program.