Takaichi Urges Iran President to Ensure Safe Hormuz Navigation

Tokyo, April 30 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi urged Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during phone talks Thursday to ensure that all ships, including those from Japan and other Asian nations, can safely pass through the Strait of Hormuz as early as possible. A crude oil tanker owned by Idemitsu Tanker Co., a subsidiary of major Japanese oil wholesaler Idemitsu Kosan Co., has safely sailed through the strait, a major oil chokepoint, which is effectively under a blockade. Takaichi said she views this as a positive development from the viewpoint of protecting Japanese nationals. The phone talks, held for 20 minutes, were the second between the two leaders since the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran in late February. The prime minister expressed her hopes that the United States and Iran will resume talks early on ending their fighting and reach a final deal. According to Iranian media, Pezeshkian said that Tehran would be ready to continue diplomatic efforts if the United States changes its behavior. He also denounced the U.S. military’s blockade of waters around ports in Iran as an act of piracy, adding that provocative remarks by U.S. officials are worsening the situation in the region. Takaichi and Pezeshkian agreed to maintain close communication. In talks with reporters after the phone conversation with the Iranian president, Takaichi avoided specifying the tanker that sailed through the Strait of Hormuz as one linked to Idemitsu Kosan. But she added that her government has continued talking with the Iranian side, with the prime minister herself making a direct request to Pezeshkian. “We will actively continue all diplomatic efforts” to ensure the safe passage of Japanese ships still stranded in the Persian Gulf, she added. Also on Thursday, the Japanese government said that five Japanese crew members have returned home after disembarking from a Japan-linked vessel stranded in the Persian Gulf. They are all in good health. The number of Japanese nationals on ships in the Gulf now stands at seven. According to the transport ministry, 41 Japan-related ships remain in the Gulf. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]