"But it is reasonable to assume iron ore prices will eventually return to their historical levels," Mitsui Chief Executive Officer Kenichi Hori told an earnings news conference.

On Total's Mozambique liquefied natural gas project in which Mitsui owns a stake, Hori said the Japanese company was closely monitoring security situation after the French energy group declared force majeure on the project earlier this week following insurgent attacks.

(Reporting by Yuka Obayashi; Editing by Himani Sarkar)