Araghchi calls for accountability over US use of Japan's airbase to attack Iran

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has urged the Japanese public to demand accountability from their government following reports that U.S. military aircraft operating from a Japanese airbase were involved in operations against Iran. In an interview with Kyodo News, Araghchi emphasized that Japan shares responsibility for the use of its military infrastructure by allied forces, particularly after U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter jets stationed at Misawa Air Base in northern Japan were reportedly deployed to the Middle East for missions against Iran.

Araghchi stated that the Japanese people, known for their commitment to peace, should press their government to address its role in facilitating these operations. "The peace-loving people of Japan should ask their government to be held accountable for the crimes committed by the United States," he said, asserting that Tokyo cannot absolve itself of responsibility for how military facilities within its territory are utilized by foreign powers.

The controversy stems from recent reports indicating that U.S. F-16s deployed from Misawa Air Base participated in strikes or reconnaissance missions targeting Iranian positions. Misawa Air Base, a key U.S. military installation in Japan, has long been a point of contention due to its role in supporting U.S. military operations across the Asia-Pacific region. The base is jointly operated by U.S. and Japanese forces under the bilateral security alliance between the two countries.

Japan’s government has not yet issued an official response to Araghchi’s remarks. However, the issue has reignited debates in Tokyo about the extent of Japan’s involvement in U.S.-led military activities abroad. Critics argue that Japan’s reliance on U.S. military infrastructure for operations outside its immediate defense perimeter could draw the country into regional conflicts, despite its pacifist constitution.

The Japanese public’s reaction has been mixed, with some expressing concern over the potential militarization of Japan’s defense policies. Others argue that Japan’s security partnership with the U.S. is necessary to counter regional threats, including those posed by Iran and North Korea. The Araghchi’s statement adds pressure on Tokyo to clarify its stance on the use of its military facilities by foreign forces.

As diplomatic tensions between Iran and the U.S. continue to escalate, the role of allied nations like Japan in facilitating military operations remains a sensitive issue. Araghchi’s call for accountability reflects broader Iranian criticism of U.S. military activities in the region and the countries that host American forces.

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