Japan's Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko has asked Iran's Acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani to ensure that his country exercises self-restraint in its rift with Israel.

Kamikawa made the appeal during her talks by phone with Bagheri on Thursday, as tension has been mounting over a possible wider regional conflict in the Middle East.

Iran has declared to take retaliation against Israel, blaming the country for killing the top Hamas political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, last month while he was visiting Tehran.

Kamikawa expressed her concern about the worsening Middle East situation. She pointed out that a further escalation in the situation will not benefit the region, nor the international community.

She said that every effort should be made to keep the tension from rising any further.

Kamikawa also asked Bagheri to persuade the Shia Muslim group Hezbollah in Lebanon, as well as other militia groups backed by Iran, to exercise self-restraint in their row with Israel.

She asked for his help in ensuring the safety of Japanese people in the region.

Kamikawa and Bagheri agreed that Japan and Iran will maintain communication with the aim of realizing peace and stability in the Middle East.