Gate News reports that on March 21, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that after negotiations between the two countries’ officials, Iran is ready to allow ships related to Japan to pass through the Strait of Hormuz (a globally important oil transportation route). Japan’s oil imports heavily depend on the Middle East, and Iran’s conflict prompted Japan to use its oil reserves this month. Japan has been under pressure from Trump to assist in defending the strait. Earlier this week, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met face-to-face with Trump in Washington, explaining the legal limitations of Japan’s involvement in such actions, while emphasizing areas of mutual agreement, including a commitment to increase oil imports from the U.S. and cooperate on missile development.