March 23, 2026 | 09:05 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Foreign Minister of Iran, Abbas Araghchi, stated that Tehran is prepared to allow ships related to Japan to cross the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route through which approximately 93 percent of Japan's crude oil imports pass. The statement was made in an interview with Kyodo News, and its transcript was uploaded via Araghchi's Telegram account on Saturday, March 21.
According to the interview transcript, discussions with Japan have already commenced. Araghchi mentioned that this issue was also discussed during a telephone conversation with the Japanese Foreign Minister, Toshimitsu Motegi, on Tuesday, March 17. When asked whether Tokyo has submitted a formal request, Araghchi refused to answer and only stated that the discussions are ongoing.
Strait of Hormuz Described as Conditionally Open
Araghchi emphasized that Iran does not entirely close the Strait of Hormuz. "According to us, the strait is open," he said. "The strait is only closed to ships owned by our enemies, countries that attack us. For other countries, ships can pass through the strait."
He added that Iran is prepared to ensure maritime safety. "They just need to contact us to discuss how this route will be traversed," he said, also affirming that this includes Japan.
As reported by Al Jazeera, Araghchi also stated, "We are talking to them to find a way for them to transit safely. We are ready to provide a safe passage for them. All they need to do is to contact us to discuss how this route will be traversed."
Japan's Concerns About Detained Ships
According to the The Japan Times, Foreign Minister Motegi stated that the discussions with Iran focused on the importance of maintaining smooth trade. "I emphasized that the safety of these ships is paramount," he said. He noted that there are currently 45 Japanese ships detained in the Persian Gulf.
Motegi also highlighted the urgency of opening the route. "From Japan's perspective, because there are so many ships involved, we believe it is very important to create a situation where everything can pass through," he said. He also mentioned that the cessation of trade, including the shipment of containers, is not ideal.
Iran's statement emerged amid pressure from the President of the United States, Donald Trump. He demanded that Iran fully open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours or face an attack. "If Iran does not fully open, without threat, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 hours the United States will attack and destroy their various power plants," Trump wrote on social media.
Since the United States-Israel war against Iran on February 28, traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has practically ceased. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard had warned of burning ships that pass through, leading to a sharp decline in maritime activities.
Read: Iran: Hormuz Open with Exceptions for 'Enemy-Linked' Ships
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