The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and securing the flow of energy were the main topics of a meeting in Tokyo on Wednesday between Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah.
Motegi said it was important for Japan that the strait reopen as soon as possible. He said US-Iran talks should resume after this step and that an early final agreement covering Iran’s nuclear issue should be reached.
Transit and energy supplies through Hormuz
The two ministers agreed that free and safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz should continue without imposing additional costs.
The two sides said relevant parties, including coastal countries and states that use the waterway, should be involved in future arrangements for the strait. Instability around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the key routes for global energy shipments, has heightened concerns over oil supplies and international maritime transport.
Motegi praised Kuwait for its efforts to maintain energy supplies to global markets despite instability in the region. The Japanese minister also emphasized that Kuwait had long provided Japan with a stable supply of crude oil.
Impact of US-Iran tensions
After the United States and Israel launched an attack on Iran in late February, Tehran retaliated with attacks on Israel and US military targets in the region. In mid-June, an agreement was signed between the United States and Iran through the mediation of Pakistan and Qatar, but its implementation was later disrupted by disagreements over the Strait of Hormuz.
After the United States resumed military attacks on Iran last month, Iran targeted US military assets in some Arab countries allied with Washington.
Palestine and North Korea on the agenda
Motegi and al-Sabah reiterated their support for a two-state solution on Palestine. The two ministers called for international action to prevent settlement activity and violence in the occupied West Bank.
Japan and Kuwait also agreed to coordinate their policies on North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs, as well as the abduction issue. During his visit to Tokyo, al-Sabah met with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
