Japan PM urges Iran president to swiftly secure safe Hormuz passage

TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Wednesday urged Iran to swiftly secure safe passage for ships of all nations through the Strait of Hormuz as she held a phone call with its President Masoud Pezeshkian following an announcement of a conditional two-week cease-fire deal between Iran and the United States.

Takaichi, speaking to reporters after the 25-minute call, said she also conveyed to the Iranian leader the importance of an early de-escalation in the Middle East conflict, and they agreed to keep in communication.