Japan has expressed its willingness to consider the deployment of military forces to the Strait of Hormuz.
Japan is contemplating the possibility of utilizing its military for minesweeping operations in the Strait of Hormuz, contingent upon the establishment of a ceasefire in the ongoing US-Israeli conflict concerning Iran.
This information was disclosed by the country’s foreign minister, Toshimitsu Motegi, on Sunday, as reported by Reuters.
“In the event of a complete ceasefire, hypothetically speaking, the issue of minesweeping could arise,” Motegi stated during an interview with Fuji TV.
“This is purely a hypothetical scenario, but should a ceasefire be achieved and naval mines pose a hindrance, I believe it would be a matter worth considering,” he said.
Motegi further indicated that Tokyo currently has no immediate intentions to negotiate arrangements for the passage of stranded Japanese vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing the critical importance of establishing conditions that facilitate navigation for all ships in the strait.
On Friday, Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araqchi informed Japan’s Kyodo news agency that he had engaged in discussions with Motegi regarding the potential for allowing Japanese-related vessels to transit through the waterway.
Japan relies on the Strait of Hormuz for approximately 90% of its oil shipments, a route that Tehran has effectively blocked during the course of the conflict.
Strait of Hormuz: Japan to deploy military for minesweeping operation
