Japan calls on Iran to ‘urge’ Houthis to ‘exercise restraint’

As we reported earlier, Japan’s Foreign Minister, Toshimitsu Motegi, and his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, held talks over the phone. Motegi urged Iran to exercise “maximum flexibility” to help secure a de-escalation of tensions in the Middle East, according to a statement by Japan’s Foreign Ministry. Motegi expressed “deep concern” over the widening “damage” of the conflict, including on neighbouring countries.