Overview
- Japan’s foreign minister, Toshimitsu Motegi, spoke by phone with Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araqchi and formally asked that all vessels held in the Persian Gulf be permitted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
- The call was the sixth high‑level phone exchange between Tokyo and Tehran since recent strikes raised tensions, reflecting Japan’s effort to keep diplomatic channels open.
- Motegi told Araqchi that maintaining the US‑Iran ceasefire and achieving de‑escalation are the top priorities and urged a quick resumption of US‑Iran negotiations to end hostilities.
- Tokyo raised consular concerns by pressing for an early resolution of the case of NHK’s Tehran bureau chief, who was released on bail in April.
- No immediate change in the status of detained vessels was reported after the call, and Araqchi provided Iran’s account of its communications with the United States during the discussion.