TOKYO: Japan’s Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya expressed “deep concern” over the exchange of attacks between Israel and Iran in a telephone conversation on Monday with his Saudi Arabia counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan.
Iwaya urged the warring parties to stand down, according to a press release issued by his ministry.
Iwaya expressed his “deep concern about the exchange of attacks, including the recent attack by Israel against Iran.”
He “strongly condemned any actions that escalate the situation, emphasizing the importance of calling for maximum restraint from all parties concerned.”
“The two ministers concurred to continue to work closely together in responding to the situation in the Middle East, including the situation in Gaza,” the release stated.
Iwaya also noted that 2025 marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Saudi Arabia.
He “expressed his hope that both countries would further strengthen their Strategic Partnership and work closely together to contribute to the stability of the international community and the Middle East.”
