Japan foreign minister MOTEGI and Iranian foreign minister Araghchi held a
20-minute phone call at 16:30 Beijing time on Sept. 8, the Japanese foreign
ministry said. MOTEGI voiced serious concern over a renewed escalation in
U.S.-Iran military tensions, urged urgent de-escalation and a resumption of
U.S.-Iran dialogue, and pressed Iran to show maximum flexibility. On the Strait
of Hormuz, Japan said future management should be discussed under international
law by coastal states, strait users and the IMO. MOTEGI also stressed the need
to ensure stability in the Bab al-Mandeb, said Japan would cooperate with the
Yemeni government, and called on Iran to exert strong influence on the Houthi to
exercise restraint. Araghchi outlined Iran’s position.
