Iran has offered to escort Japanese tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, though Japan is not currently seeking that assistance. The offer comes as Iran has effectively closed the strait in response to joint attacks by the United States and Israel.
Japan relies heavily on crude oil imports from the Middle East, the majority of which pass through the Strait of Hormuz, located in the Persian Gulf, according to reports. The situation is prompting nations dependent on the shipping lane to explore alternative routes and tap into oil reserves.
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Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi stated on Sunday, March 22, 2026, during a program on Fuji Television, that “at this time, we are not considering that” when asked if the government would urge Iran to allow Japanese tankers to pass through the Hormuz.
Motegi’s comments followed a statement from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, made during a phone interview with Kyodo News on Friday, March 20, 2026, that Tehran is prepared to ensure safe passage for Japanese vessels.
“They just need to contact us so that we can discuss how this transit can be done,” Araghchi added.
Motegi spoke with his Iranian counterpart, Araghchi, on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, but told Fuji Television that Araghchi did not mention assistance for Japanese ships during their conversation.
“The safety of navigation is essential. That’s what we talked about,” Motegi said.
Araghchi, in the Kyodo News interview, also refuted claims that the strait is closed, asserting “from our point of view, the strait is open.”
“It’s only closed to the ships belonging to our enemies—countries that attack us. For other countries, ships can pass through the strait,” Araghchi said, according to a transcript of the Farsi-language interview posted on his Telegram channel.
Last week, Tokyo announced it would begin releasing strategic oil reserves, which are among the largest in the world, according to reports.
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(rfs/imk)
