Japan-Iran Summit Telephone Talk (Summary)

On December 2nd, commencing at 6:30 p.m. local time (11:30 p.m. Japan time) for approximately 40 minutes, Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, who is visiting Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to attend the COP28 “United Nations World Climate Action Summit,” held a telephone talk with H.E. Ayatollah Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The summary is as follows.

1. At the outset, Prime Minister Kishida, referring to the situation in the Gaza strip, stated that while Japan had welcomed the pause in fighting, the release of hostages and the increased delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, it is regrettable that the fighting has resumed and that it is important to return to the agreement and to calm down the situation as soon as possible. He also stated that all parties must comply with international law, including international humanitarian law, and that during actual military operations all possible measures need to be taken in order to prevent the damage on civilians.

2. Prime Minister Kishida also called on Iran to play a role in the further release of hostages and towards calming down the situation. Furthermore, Prime Minister Kishida stated that he unequivocally condemns the Houthis on the “seizure” of the vessel operated by a Japanese company and called on Iran to urge the Houthis for the early release of the vessel and its crew members and to refrain from taking such action going forward.

3. In response, President Raisi explained Iran’s stance on the current situation, and the two leaders concurred to continue to communicate with each other.

4. The two leaders also exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East region and Iran’s nuclear issue.