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Israeli FM talks Iran, Hezbollah with Japanese counterpart

Gideon Sa’ar said that Israel and the United States pushed back an immediate Iranian nuclear threat and called Hezbollah a violator of Lebanon’s sovereignty, urging disarmament.

Japan Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi (right) meets with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong (unseen) at the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo on April 28, 2026. Photo by Philip Fong/AFP via Getty Images.
Japan Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi (right) meets with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong (unseen) at the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo on April 28, 2026. Photo by Philip Fong/AFP via Getty Images.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said on Tuesday that he spoke with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi about regional developments, emphasizing shared opposition to Iran acquiring nuclear weapons.

In a statement, Sa’ar said Israel and the United States had “pushed back an immediate, existential danger” posed by Iran’s nuclear ambitions and stressed that Israel remains determined to prevent Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons. He also praised Japan’s “principled and consistent” stance on the issue.

Addressing Lebanon, Sa’ar said Hezbollah is violating Lebanese sovereignty and carrying out attacks against Israel, calling the Iran-backed terrorist group a threat to both countries that must be disarmed.

He added that the two sides discussed bilateral ties and noted the appointment of Israel’s new ambassador to Tokyo, Emmanuel Navon.

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