Japan condemns Israel's attack on Iran for 'escalating situation'

Smoke rises up after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, June 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said Friday that Japan "strongly condemns" Israel's attack on nuclear and military sites in Iran for "escalating the situation," while pledging necessary diplomatic efforts to prevent a further deterioration.

Iwaya told a press conference that it is "extremely regrettable" that Israel took military action despite continuing talks between Washington and Tehran toward a peaceful resolution, demanding that all parties should exercise "utmost restraint."

Earlier in the day, Israel said it had conducted strikes on "dozens of military targets" in Iran, including nuclear facilities, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying in a video statement that the military operation would "continue for as many days as it takes to remove" the threat.

Highly dependent on crude oil imports from the Middle East, Japan has traditionally maintained friendly relations with both Iran and Israel, which is backed by Tokyo's close security ally, the United States.

The government of U.S. President Donald Trump, who returned to office in January with a pledge to block Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, has engaged in negotiations with Tehran, which has insisted that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

"Peace and stability in the Middle East is quite important for Japan as well," Iwaya said, adding the government will take all possible measures to ensure the safety of Japanese nationals living in the region.