April 14, 2026

Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Koike Akira on April 13 criticized U.S. President Trump for announcing that the U.S. Navy will impose a complete blockade on the Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking at a press conference in the Diet building, Koike stated that it is “outrageous” that, with U.S.-Iran talks failing to reach an agreement, Trump announced the naval blockade and declared that he would not hesitate to resume attacks on Iran.

Koike argued, “The U.S. administration should negotiate in good faith with Iran with the aim of ending the war. To that end, it should guarantee that it won’t attack Iran again.”

He demanded that the Japanese government urge both the United States and Iran to make progress in talks toward ending the war.