G7 airs support for Israel, calls Iran source of instability
WASHINGTON—The Group of Seven nations expressed support for Israel in a statement issued late on Monday and labeled its rival Iran as a source of instability in the Middle East, with the G7 leaders urging broader deescalation of hostilities in the region.
The air war between Iran and Israel—which began on Friday when Israel attacked Iran with airstrikes—has raised alarms in a region that had already been on edge since the start of Israel’s military assault on Gaza in October 2023.
“We affirm that Israel has a right to defend itself. We reiterate our support for the security of Israel,” G7 leaders meeting in Canada said in the statement.
“Iran is the principal source of regional instability and terror,” the statement added and said the G7 was “clear that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.”
Israel attacked Iran on Friday in what it called a preemptive strike to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons.
Since then the two Middle Eastern rivals have exchanged blows, with Iranian officials reporting over 220 deaths, mostly civilians, while Israel said 24 civilians were killed.
For peaceful purposes
Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons and has said it has the right to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, including enrichment, as a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Israel, which is not a party to the NPT, is the only country in the Middle East widely believed to have nuclear weapons. Israel does not deny or confirm that.
President Donald Trump left the summit early to return to Washington due to the Middle East situation.
Trump said he wanted a “real end” to the nuclear problem with Iran and indicated he may send US Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff or Vice President JD Vance to meet with the Islamic Republic as the Israel-Iran air war raged for a fifth straight day.
He made the comments during his midnight departure from Canada.
Trump predicted that Israel would not be slowing its attacks on Iran.
You’re going to find out over the next two days. You’re going to find out. Nobody’s slowed up so far,” a CBS journalist quoted Trump as saying on Air Force One.
The president said in a social media post that “everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran.”
‘Excellent’
An Israeli strike hit Iran’s state broadcaster on Monday.
Trump said “I may,” on the prospect of sending Witkoff or Vance to meet with Iran.
The United States has so far maintained that it is not involved in the Israeli attacks on Iran although Trump said on Friday the United States was aware of Israel’s strikes in advance and called them “excellent.”
Washington has warned Tehran not to attack US interests or personnel in the region.
