Japan to Decide on Iran Talks Based on National Interest—PM

(MENAFN) Japan says it will consider engaging in discussions with Iran when the timing aligns with its national interest, as stated by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, according to reports.

"I will judge the appropriate timing for holding talks based on the national interest from a comprehensive standpoint," Takaichi told a session of the House of Representatives' Budget Committee, as reported.

Tokyo has been attempting to carefully balance its security partnership with Washington while maintaining historically cordial relations with Tehran, especially after the escalation of the Middle East conflict, which has disrupted international supply chains.

Japan depends on the Middle East for over 90% of its crude oil imports, much of which travels through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global energy shipments that Iran has effectively blocked.

While Japan has condemned Iran’s de facto closure of the strait and its retaliatory attacks on other regional countries following US-Israeli strikes, it has not offered a legal judgment on American military operations targeting Iran.

In a related update, the first oil shipment from the Middle East since the outbreak of hostilities has reached a refinery in western Japan. The tanker, carrying roughly 100,000 kiloliters of crude from Saudi Arabia, avoided the Strait of Hormuz by traveling via the Red Sea, according to reports.

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