Japan urges Iran to exercise ‘restraint’ to avoid further escalation with Israel

ANKARA

Japan on Tuesday urged Iran to “exercise restraint” to avoid further tension in the Middle East following Tehran's retaliatory missile and drone attack on Israel Saturday, local media reported.

Speaking with her Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian over the phone, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa said Tokyo is “seriously concerned about Iran's attack and strongly condemns such escalation," demanding it "ensures the safety of navigation" in regional waters, Tokyo-based Kyodo News reported citing the Foreign Ministry.

The current situation is not in the interest of the Iranian people and the whole international community, Kamikawa was quoted as saying.

She also asked for Tehran’s support in securing the safety of Japanese nationals in Iran.

The two ministers agreed to continue close communication between the two governments, according to the ministry.

Iran on Saturday launched an airborne attack on Israel in retaliation for an April 1 airstrike on its diplomatic compound in the Syrian capital. It reportedly fired more than 300 drones and missiles, with almost all intercepted by the air defense systems of Israel and its allies – the US, France, and the UK.

The Iranian force also reportedly seized a commercial ship with links to Israel as it passed through the Strait of Hormuz early on Saturday.

Japan, which heavily relies on crude oil from the region, traditionally pursues a "balanced diplomacy" between Israel and Muslim countries in the Middle East, including Iran.