Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda Wednesday urged Israel to refrain from military action against Iran, a report said, after Jerusalem accused Tehran for a series of blasts targeting Israeli diplomats.
Tensions between the Middle East arch-foes have risen sharply following bombings in New Delhi, Tbilisi and Bangkok within a span of 24 hours, but Iran angrily rejected accusations that it was behind the "terrorist" acts.
In a meeting in Tokyo with Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak, Noda warned that military action could be "extremely dangerous" as it risks "escalating" the current situation, Japan's Kyodo news agency reported, quoting foreign ministry officials.
Israel has blamed Iran for two bombs targeting its diplomats in India and Georgia on Monday, as well as for a series of botched explosions in Thailand on Tuesday, which Thai intelligence officials said were aimed at embassy staff in Bangkok.
Thailand on Wednesday charged two Iranians over the alleged plot, but Tehran has denied all involvement.
Noda said the bombings were "unacceptable", while cautioning that Israel should show restraint, Kyodo reported.
Barak, who is on a five-day visit to Japan, declined to comment on whether Israel will retaliate against Iran, but urged the world to "join hands" in monitoring sanctions against Iran, Kyodo said.
In a show of solidarity, Noda said that Japan will strive to reduce its oil imports from Iran. Tokyo currently imports around 10 percent of its oil consumption from the Islamic republic, the report said.
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