Sanae Takaichi has requested that Iran use its influence to help prevent further escalation by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels in the Bab al-Mandeb strait in the Red Sea during a phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to the presidency.

The request came as the Japanese prime minister welcomed what she described as progress in negotiations between Iran and Oman over the Strait of Hormuz and expressed hope that the strategic waterway would reopen as soon as talks concluded successfully.

According to the statement, Takaichi also reiterated Tokyo’s support for diplomatic efforts to end the war, saying such an approach was in the long-term interests of both Iran and the region.

For his part, Pezeshkian thanked Japan for supporting efforts to end the war and said Iran had “never sought instability” in the region. He claimed that the US and Israel had undermined regional peace through what he described as aggression against Iran.

Pezeshkian said Iran had acted in accordance with international law and had consistently sought to improve relations with neighbouring countries. He also expressed hope that Japan’s diplomatic efforts would help restore peace and stability in the region and prevent further conflict.