Abe cancels trip after Iran attacks on US troops

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe planned to visit Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Oman from Saturday. Abe canceled his trip to the Middle East following Iran's missile attack on U.S. troops, Kyodo reports.

In the early hours of Wednesday morning, Iran launched more than a dozen missiles at Iraqi bases housing U.S. army personnel in retaliation for the murder a few days ago of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, leader of the elite Guard force Revolutionary (Quds), ordered by President Donald Trump.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga urged both sides to exhaust diplomatic efforts and avoid further escalation.

"We are deeply concerned about rising tensions in the Middle East," said the senior Japanese official.

Abe's journey was part of Japan's plan to send its Self-Defense Forces to the Middle East, an oil-rich region, on an information-gathering mission prepared to ensure the safe transit of commercial ships, kyodo.

Despite tensions in the region, Japan will continue with the mission, Suga said. The Asian country seeks to maintain its friendly ties with Iran and, in parallel, its long security alliance with the US. (International Press)