City
Epaper

Bolton meets top Japanese officials amid US-Iran tensions

By IANS | Updated: July 22, 2019 18:10 IST

US National Security Adviser John Bolton on Monday met top Japanese officials amid growing tensions with Iran regarding the Strait of Hormuz.

Open in App

Bolton first met with Shotaro Yachi, chair of Japan's National Security Council, and later Foreign Minister Taro Kono, Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

"We had a very productive discussion on a wide range of issues," Bolton told reporters following his meeting with Yachi, Kyodo News reported.

During the meeting with Kono, Bolton said that he wants to maintain close cooperation with Japan to resolve issues in the region and reiterated his commitment towards working on North Korean denuclearization, said the statement cited by Efe news.

Issues believed to have been discussed in the meetings include Washington's international coalition plan to strengthen security around the Strait of Hormuz.

The maritime security initiative was drawn up following the attacks on two oil tankers in the region - one of which was operated by a Japanese firm. The US has alleged Iran's role in the attack.

It is estimated that a fifth of the world's oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz.

The White House reiterated that free navigation through the strait was important for global economic stability.

Bolton is to travel to Seoul on Tuesday for a two-day visit and is will meet with his South Korean counterpart Chung Eui-yong, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and Defence Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo to discuss - among other issues - the current status of denuclearization talks with North Korea.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: BoltonjapanShotaro YachiTaro KonoThe Strait Of Hormuz
Open in App

Related Stories

OpinionsChina’s Move... Fictator’s Fortune!

InternationalHeatwave in Japan: Temperatures in Tokyo Cross 40 Degrees Celsius, Breaks 150-Year-Old Record

NationalBengaluru: Class 7 Student Dies by Suicide; Police Investigate Possible Link to Japanese Web Series ‘Death Note’

InternationalEarthquake of Magnitude 8.8 Is Equal to Explosion of 15,900 Atomic Bombs Like Hiroshima, Claims Grok

InternationalWhales Washed Ashore in Japan After Tsunami Hits Island Nation; Videos Surface

International Realted Stories

InternationalCalls for accountability over enforced disappearances in Pakistan grow at UN

International3 dead in Morocco as protests intensify

InternationalEAM Jaishankar, Aviation Minister Kinjarapu join Airbus-IndiGo reception in Delhi

InternationalPakistan: Nine killed, four injured in Peshawar bomb blast

InternationalUN approves travel ban exemptions for Afghan FM to visit India from October 9-16