Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has requested that Iran help prevent further escalation by Yemen’s Houthi rebels in the Red Sea’s Bab al-Mandeb during a phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Al Jazeera reports citing the Iranian presidency.

According to a statement, the Japanese prime minister has welcomed what she terms progress in Iran’s negotiations with Oman over the Strait of Hormuz, expressing hope that the strategic waterway will reopen as soon as talks conclude successfully.

It adds that Takaichi has also reiterated Tokyo’s support for diplomatic efforts to end the war, adding that it is in the long-term interests of both Tehran and the broader Middle East.

Pezeshkian thanks Japan for supporting efforts to end the war, noting that his country “never sought instability” in the region and claiming that the US and Israel had undermined regional peace through acts of aggression.

He adds that Tehran acted in accordance with international law and consistently sought to improve relations with neighbouring countries.