World leaders from the Group of Seven (G7) have thrown their weight behind Israel, calling Iran the main source of unrest in the Middle East, as fears of wider war grip the region.
In a joint statement released late Monday, the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the United States said they “affirm that Israel has a right to defend itself” while sharply criticising Tehran.
“Iran is the principal source of regional instability and terror,” the G7 declared. “We are clear that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.”
The comments come amid a growing crisis triggered last Friday, when Israeli warplanes launched a surprise strike on Iran, reportedly to block what it claimed was an imminent nuclear threat. Iran hit back, and the two bitter rivals have since exchanged fire in a deadly tit-for-tat that has left hundreds dead.
Iran’s officials say more than 220 people, mostly civilians, have died. Israel reports 24 civilian deaths.
‘On the brink’
The conflict has rattled the already volatile Middle East, still reeling from Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza, which began in October 2023. Oil prices surged over the weekend, and diplomatic channels have lit up as world powers scramble to contain the fallout.
Speaking at the G7 summit in Canada, US President Donald Trump said the situation required his early departure. “We’re monitoring everything closely,” he told reporters before boarding Air Force One. On social media, he urged civilians to “immediately evacuate Tehran.”
Though the US has insisted it played no direct role in Israel’s attack, Trump admitted Washington had prior knowledge of the operation. He praised it as “excellent.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, meanwhile, held a string of emergency calls on Monday with his counterparts in Britain, France and the European Union.
Despite the escalation, Washington insists that it still seeks a nuclear agreement with Iran. The US pulled out of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal under Trump’s previous term but has since spoken of reviving talks.
Nuclear fears resurface
Iran has long denied pursuing nuclear weapons, saying its nuclear programme is strictly for peaceful purposes. As a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Tehran says it has the right to enrich uranium.
Israel, by contrast, has never signed the NPT and maintains an official policy of ambiguity about its nuclear arsenal. However, it is widely believed to possess nuclear weapons the only country in the region to do so.
An Israeli airstrike on Monday reportedly hit Iran’s state broadcaster in Tehran. In response, Iranian leaders are said to have sent indirect messages to Washington, urging Trump to press Israel into agreeing to a ceasefire.
A call for calm
The G7, while firm in its stance against Iran, also appealed for peace across the region. The group urged a halt to the bloodshed in Gaza and pledged to work together to keep energy markets stable amid rising oil fears.
“We urge that the resolution of the Iranian crisis leads to a broader de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East,” the statement read.
But with both Israel and Iran showing no sign of backing down, and with thousands in the crossfire, the hope of de-escalation remains fragile.
About the Author
