Japan Urges Iran to Bend as Hormuz Standoff Drags On

Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi pressed his Iranian counterpart to adopt a more conciliatory stance during a phone conversation on Saturday, as the diplomatic deadlock between Washington and Tehran over the Strait of Hormuz closure showed little sign of breaking.

The 20-minute exchange between Motegi, who is currently on a working visit to Kenya, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi came amid reports that Tehran had submitted a fresh negotiating proposal to the United States through Pakistani intermediaries in a bid to bring the conflict to an end.

During the call, Araghchi walked his Japanese counterpart through the latest developments, including the state of ongoing exchanges between Iran and the United States and where things appeared to be heading. Motegi responded by conveying Tokyo’s strong hope that the existing ceasefire would hold and that direct talks between the two sides would resume promptly and ultimately produce a lasting settlement. He urged Tehran to demonstrate what he called “maximum flexibility” in facilitating that outcome.

Motegi also raised the issue of maritime access, underscoring that vessels from all nations must be able to move through the Strait of Hormuz freely and without risk. He called for the expedited clearance of ships still awaiting passage through the waterway, noting that Japan-linked vessels had recently managed to transit the strait.

The conversation was initiated at Iran’s request, and both ministers agreed to keep communication channels open going forward. It followed an earlier call the two held on April 15.

Although a ceasefire between Washington and Tehran has been in effect since early April, negotiations have yet to produce any tangible progress. Global energy markets continue to feel the strain, with oil supplies disrupted by the effective shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz — one of the world’s most vital conduits for crude shipments.