Japan Calls on Iran for Restraint After Israeli Attack

In a series of phone calls, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa has called for Iran to show restraint after Iran launched a missile and drone attack on Israel. Kamikawa expressed Japan's serious concerns about the escalation of tensions in the Middle East and underscored the importance of the safety of Japanese nationals in the region. She also highlighted the necessity of maintaining the freedom of navigation in regional waters.

The attacks by Iran are reportedly in retaliation for a bombing of the Iranian embassy's consular section in Damascus earlier this month, which resulted in the deaths of seven Iranian officers. The G7, of which Japan is a member, has condemned Iran's actions as a "direct and unprecedented attack against Israel."

During these diplomatic exchanges, Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian communicated with both Kamikawa and China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Wang Yi relayed Iran's intentions to avoid further escalation of the situation. The United States has urged China to leverage its influence over Tehran to help manage regional tensions, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The Japanese and Iranian ministers agreed to continue close communication moving forward.