Rubio and Japan counterpart talk after Trump Iran coalition call

March 16 (Reuters) – Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi spoke by phone with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday, after U.S. President Donald Trump called for allies to form a coalition to reopen the vital waterway.

Japan has not made any decision about sending navy ships to escort ships in the Middle East, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said early Monday. An official from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that there was no request from Rubio in his call to send a warship to Japan.

The following is an outline of the call made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan:

* “The two foreign ministers exchanged views primarily on the current situation in the Middle East, including developments regarding Iran. * “Minister Motegi stated that Japan condemns Iran’s actions, including attacks on civilian facilities such as energy facilities in the Gulf countries and actions that threaten the security of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. * “He also stated that ensuring freedom of navigation and security in the Strait of Hormuz is extremely important for the international community, including Japan, in terms of ‘energy security’, and said that Japan will continue to make all necessary diplomatic efforts in cooperation with the international community, including the United States. *”The two ministers confirmed that they will continue to maintain close communication to respond to the situation with Iran.”

The statement stated that Japan and the United States will continue to work closely to prepare for Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s visit to Washington this week.

(Reporting by John Geddie, Tim Kelly and David Brunnstrom; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)