Japan's Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi has urged Iran and all other parties concerned to exercise restraint amid heightened tensions in the Middle East.

He talked with Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi on Monday afternoon over the phone.

Iwaya expressed Japan's serious concern about the current increase of tensions in the region. The Israeli government appears to be preparing to take retaliatory action against Iran, which carried out major missile attacks on Israel on October 1.

He said his country strongly urges all parties concerned, including Iran, to exercise restraint in order to avoid further escalation in the region.

Iwaya also asked for Iran's support in securing the safety of Japanese nationals, in case tensions increase, with Israel's possible retaliatory response to Iran in mind.

In response, Araghchi assured the foreign minister of Iran's cooperation on the protection of Japanese nationals.

The two ministers also exchanged views on Iran's nuclear program. Iwaya noted that further Iranian cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency is essential.

They affirmed to continue the multilayered dialogue between their countries, including at the foreign ministerial level, for the peace and stability in the Middle East and the international community.