Kono urges Iran’s efforts to ease tensions

October 2, 2019

Tokyo--Japanese Defense Minister Taro Kono on Tuesday called on Iran to make greater efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East.

Tehran should play a constructive role to ensure regional peace and stability, Kono told his Iranian counterpart, Amir Hatami, in their 30-minute phone talks.

The two ministers agreed to continue dialogue.

The conversations marked the first-ever talks between Japanese and Iranian defense ministers, Japanese Defense Ministry officials said.

The Iranian side requested the phone talks, the officials said. When he was foreign minister, Kono had frequent contact with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif. Kono became defense minister last month. Jiji Press