TOKYO: Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya on Monday (June 16) told his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi that all parties must exercise "utmost restraint" amid an escalating conflict between Israel and Iran.
During their phone talks, Iwaya said any action that could further escalate the situation should be refrained from, adding he is "deeply concerned about the current exchange of attacks spreading throughout the Middle East region," according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry.
Highly dependent on crude oil imports from the Middle East, Japan has traditionally maintained friendly relations with Iran, Kyodo News reported.
Israel has since early Friday launched airstrikes on the Iranian capital Tehran and other areas across the country, killing a number of Iran's top military commanders, nuclear scientists and civilians.
In response, Iran has since Friday night launched a series of missile and drone strikes on different targets in Israel, inflicting casualties and heavy damage. - Xinhua
