TEHRAN (Iran News) – Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo warned that military conflict with Iran will affect global peace and stability, as he visited the Middle East in the hope of easing tensions spiked by the recent US assassination of a top Iranian general. His comments came at the start of a five-day Persian Gulf […]
TEHRAN (Iran News) – Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo warned that military conflict with Iran will affect global peace and stability, as he visited the Middle East in the hope of easing tensions spiked by the recent US assassination of a top Iranian general.
His comments came at the start of a five-day Persian Gulf tour after Iran responded to the US attack on Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani by launching a barrage of missiles at bases hosting American troops in Iraq last week, prompting fears of all-out war, AFP reported.
But as those concerns receded, the Japanese premier decided to go ahead with the visit and on Sunday discussed regional tensions during an hour-long meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in northwestern al-Ula Province, according to Foreign Ministry spokesman Masato Ohtaka.
“Any military conflict in the region that includes a country like Iran will have an impact not only on peace and stability in the region but the peace and stability of the whole world,” Abe said, according to Ohtaka.
Abe called “on all relevant countries to engage in diplomatic efforts to defuse tensions”, Ohtaka added.
The spokesman said the two leaders agreed on working closely on maritime security in the region and discussed Tokyo’s decision to send a destroyer for intelligence activities along with two P-3C patrol aircraft to the Middle East.
Japan, however, will not join a US-led coalition in the region.
Tokyo has walked a fine line in balancing its alliance with Washington and its longstanding relations and interests with Tehran.
Ohtaka said that Abe stressed the importance of a continuous and stable Saudi oil supply to Japan.
The prime minister’s tour will also include visits to the United Arab Emirates and Oman.
- source : Iran Daily, Irannews
