TOKYO: Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani agreed on the necessity of de-escalating tensions in the Arabian Gulf and concurred on the need to ensure free and safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. During telephone tal»»»

Iran should not use the Strait of Hormuz, which it has blocked since the start of the Middle East war, as a means to blackmail Gulf states, Qatar's top diplomat said Tuesday. "Iran should not use this strait as a weapon to pressure or to blackmail the Gulf countries," said Qatari Foreign Minister a»»»