Iran to allow more Japanese ships to pass Strait of Hormuz: Pezeshkian

President Masoud Pezeshkian has told Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi that Iran would work to allow more ships linked to Japan to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway in the Persian Gulf that Iran has tightly controlled since the early days of the US-Israeli aggression.

Pezeshkian told Takaichi in a phone call on Monday that Iran is ready to ease cargo transit through the Strait of Hormuz, although he insisted that restrictions imposed by the United States on Iran’s maritime trade have been the main obstacle to restoring normal shipping in the Persian Gulf.

The president said, however, that Iran is seriously pursuing efforts that could lead to an easing of restrictions on the passage of ships owned by or linked to Japan through the Strait.

"We will strive to ensure that Japanese ships can pass through the route smoothly and with greater ease," he said, according to remarks published by the Iranian Presidency.

Iran has been gradually easing its restrictions on the passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz in recent weeks, as the country has set up a new authority to vet ships and their cargoes and prevent hostile countries from using the Strait.

Iran has indicated that it is ready to reopen the Strait as part of a deal with the US that could end all sanctions and blockades on the country and put a permanent end to the US-Israeli aggression against Iran and its allies in the region.

Pezeshkian said in his phone call with Takaichi that Iran expects Japan to facilitate its access to Iranian funds and assets blocked in the East Asian country due to sanctions, adding that Tehran wants to use the funds to purchase essential goods, medical equipment, and medicine.

Takaichi, for her part, said Japan has held consultations with the US about the current situation in the Persian Gulf and believes that diplomacy and dialogue are the way forward to reduce tensions and resolve disputes.

The Japanese prime minister also thanked Iran for ensuring the security of maritime routes, which has led to the successful passage of Japanese ships through the Strait of Hormuz, as she expressed hope that all vessels would be able to transit this strategic route.

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