News, Politics, Trending, World News

Iran Offers Japan Safe Passage Through Strait of Hormuz Amid Regional Tensions

Published by Samuel Ayomide on March 22nd, 2026.

Iran has assured Japan of safe passage for its ships through the Strait of Hormuz, a key corridor for global oil supplies, amid rising tensions in the Middle East. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Kyodo News that Japan could coordinate directly with Tehran to guarantee the secure transit of its vessels.

The strait, which links the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, handles a significant portion of the world’s oil exports. Japan relies heavily on Middle Eastern crude, with about 70 percent of it passing through this narrow shipping lane.

Araghchi dismissed reports suggesting the strait had been closed, insisting that restrictions only apply to countries directly attacking Iran. “We have not closed this strait. It is only restricted for ships belonging to nations that have attacked us,” he said, according to a Farsi transcript of the interview shared on his Telegram channel. “For all other nations, including Japan, vessels can pass freely. They just need to contact us to coordinate the transit.”

Japan, the world’s fourth-largest economy and the fifth-biggest oil importer globally, depends on a secure flow of energy from the Middle East. Tokyo recently announced it was tapping into its strategic oil reserves, which cover about 254 days of domestic consumption, to buffer any supply disruptions.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) had also agreed earlier this month to release oil stockpiles to mitigate global price surges triggered by the conflict in the Middle East,the largest coordinated release in the agency’s history.

Analysts say Iran’s assurance to Japan reflects both its strategic leverage over the strait and a willingness to maintain ties with non-hostile nations amid escalating tensions. Tehran’s offer could provide Tokyo with a critical route to sustain its energy imports while avoiding the risk of direct confrontation.