PH, Japan agree to work on ‘early de-escalation’ in Strait of Hormuz

MANILA, March 25 ------ Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae have agreed to work towards the “early de-escalation” of tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Marcos and Takaichi had a 20-minute phone call on March 24 evening, the ministry said in a statement. “Prime Minister Takaichi, referring to the joint statement on the Strait of Hormuz issued on March 19, explained the importance of coordinating and cooperating with the international community to ensure the early de-escalation of the situation, with a particular focus on the urgent priority of securing safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz,” the statement read. “The two leaders concurred on closely working together toward the early de-escalation of the situation,” it read.

Japan is among the countries that first signed the joint statement on Strait of Hormuz, which condemned Iran’s attacks on commercial vessels passing through the crucial waterway where 20 percent of the world’s oil supply passes through. The joint statement also urges Iran “to cease immediately its threats, laying of mines, drone and missile attacks and other attempts to block the Strait to commercial shipping.” “We call on all states to respect international law and uphold the fundamental principles of international prosperity and security,” the joint statement read.

Iran earlier blocked the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation against air strikes from US and Israel. Japan noted that “President Marcos explained the position and efforts of the Philippines,” but did not give further details on what the Filipino leader said. The Malacañang and the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs have yet to release a statement if Marcos has agreed to be a part of the joint statement.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com