Motegi “urged Iran to participate sincerely in diplomatic efforts” and called on Tehran to “ensure the safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz for all ships, including those linked to Japan,” the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Monday.
Araghchi explained Iran’s position on the conflict, and both sides agreed to maintain communication during a call that took place after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi opened the door on Monday to holding a summit with Iranian leadership.
Motegi also urged the release of a Japanese citizen detained in Iran, whose identity has not been revealed but who, according to Japanese media, may be the chief correspondent for the NHK television network in Tehran.
Today, the 7th, hours after the phone call, the Japanese news agency Kyodo reported the release of the citizen in question, who had been detained since January, citing anonymous government sources.
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U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated on Monday his threats to destroy civilian infrastructure in Iran if no agreement is reached by 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Washington time (8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, Macau time).
Trump remained uncertain regarding Tehran’s latest counterproposal, conveyed via Pakistan, which calls for an end to hostilities in the region, a protocol for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz—which Iran has kept partially closed since the start of the war—and the lifting of sanctions.
