ISTANBUL

Japan requested Tuesday that Iran take "appropriate measures" to ensure the safety of vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, in a call with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, "strongly urged Iran to immediately cease attacks on civilian and infrastructure facilities in the Gulf countries, as well as actions that threaten the safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz," according to a statement from the Japanese Foreign Ministry.

Motegi expressed "grave concern" about Iran’s retaliatory attacks and that "the damage has expanded, including to neighboring countries." He voiced alarm about "the large number" of Japan-related vessels currently being detained in the Persian Gulf.

He requested Iran take "appropriate measures to ensure the safety of all the vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, including those of Japan and other Asian countries."

Araghchi "explained Iran’s position," according to the statement.

"Both ministers concurred on continuing close communication towards the early de-escalation of the situation," it added.

Motegi also urged the early release of two Japanese nationals detained in Iran.

Tensions in the Middle East remain high since the US and Israel initiated a large-scale military campaign against Iran, so far killing more than 1,300 people, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting US military assets.

The Strait of Hormuz has been at the center of global energy concerns since Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced its closure to most vessels, in retaliation for the US-Israeli attacks that began Feb. 28.

Before the conflict, about 20 million barrels of oil passed through the strait daily. Its disruption has pushed oil prices higher.