Iran makes a surprise concession to a country that has announced it is willing to intervene to unblock the Strait of Hormuz

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told the Japanese agency Kyodo News that Iran is ready to allow ships with Japanese ties to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the BBC. Japan is one of the signatories of an international declaration on ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz

Araghchi stated that discussions with the Japanese side have already begun, with a view to temporarily lifting the blockade, reports the publication, according to News.ro

A Japanese government official told Kyodo that “direct negotiations with the Iranian side are the most effective way to lift the blockade,” in response to Araghchi's remarks.

He added that extreme caution must be exercised so as not to provoke the United States, stressing that even if Japanese ships were allowed to pass through this route, this would not solve the ongoing energy crisis.

Another Japanese Foreign Ministry official told Kyodo that the “true intent” behind Araghchi's statement must be “carefully evaluated.”

Five European countries announce, together with Japan, that they are ready to contribute to securing the Strait of Hormuz

Five leading European countries – France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Britain – announced in a joint statement with Japan on Thursday that they would take steps to stabilize energy markets and said they were ready to join “appropriate efforts” to ensure the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

“We express our willingness to contribute to the appropriate efforts to ensure the safe passage (of ships) through the strait,” the statement said. “We welcome the commitment of the countries involved in the preparatory planning”, adds the joint statement.

The joint statement of the six countries, five of which are members of the G7, condemns Iran's attacks and calls on Tehran to stop its actions immediately.

President Nicușor Dan announced on Friday evening that Romania joins the declaration of Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan on ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, warning that closing the strait has “serious implications” for global energy markets and the world economy.

With this statement, according to the Presidential Administration, the signatory countries call for the “de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz” and call on Iran to “immediately cease threats, water mining, drone and missile attacks, and any other actions aimed at blocking the Strait for commercial navigation.”

At the same time, the states in question express their “willingness to contribute to the appropriate efforts to ensure freedom of passage through the Straits” and welcome “the commitment of the nations participating in the preparatory planning in this regard”.

Romania is not involved in the conflict, the president said

In a statement published Friday evening on Facebook, Nicușor Dan said that Romania's joining this declaration “takes place against the background of the serious implications that the closure of the Strait has on the global energy markets, as well as on the world economy”.

“The effects are also felt in Romania, especially in terms of fuel prices. In this sense, we are ready to participate in the efforts of the international community that will lead to maintaining prices at a bearable level for the population,” the head of state continued.

President Nicușor Dan stated that “Romania maintains its clear decision not to get involved in the conflict in the Middle East”.

“We are working alongside international partners for de-escalation,” Dan concluded.

In peacetime, a fifth of the world's crude oil and liquefied natural gas traffic passes through this strait, but it is currently paralyzed by the blockade imposed by Iran in response to the operation launched by the United States and Israel against it.

More than 20 commercial vessels, including 10 oil tankers, have so far reported incidents.

The situation has left about 20,000 seafarers stranded on about 3,200 ships west of the strait, according to the International Maritime Organization.

The International Energy Agency (IEA), which represents oil-consuming countries, released 400 million barrels of its strategic crude reserves to calm markets and said on Monday it was ready to unlock more stocks.

In recent days, Iran has authorized the passage of several ships from countries it considers allies, while warning that it will block those from countries it considers hostile.