As the Israeli-Iranian conflict broadened, leaders of the Group of Seven wealthy nations and European Union expressed their "commitment to peace and stability in the Middle East" at a meeting hosted by Canada.
The G-7 leaders' statement on Tuesday expressed "support for the security of Israel" and affirmed that "Israel has a right to defend itself" as its aerial bombardment campaign against Iran's nuclear program entered a fifth day.
Their statement affirmed "the importance of the protection of civilians," while pointing to Iran as "the principal source of regional instability and terror" and insisting that "Iran can never have a nuclear weapon."
"We urge that the resolution of the Iranian crisis leads to a broader de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, including a ceasefire in Gaza," they said, adding they will "stand ready to coordinate" any efforts that might be needed to safeguard the stability of international energy markets.
U.S. President Donald Trump, who signed onto the statement after expressing reservations about it, left the G-7 summit early on late Monday saying he had to return to Washington to deal with the escalating conflict.
Iranian leaders failed to close a nuclear deal with the U.S. and "they have to make a deal," Trump told reporters. "Iran is not winning this war, and they should talk, and they should talk immediately before it's too late."
Trump has blamed Tehran for forcing Israel's hand by failing to accept an offer that he and his Middle East special envoy Steve Witkoff made during nuclear talks aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear ambitions. The 2015 Iran nuclear deal that the U.S. reneged on under Trump's first term let Tehran enrich uranium for nuclear power only in exchange for sanctions relief.
As Iran increased its uranium enrichment, Trump in recent days has tried to revive or clinch a new version of the earlier deal between Iran and major powers that was known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
Iran is legally required under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty to declare all nuclear material and activities, and to let International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors verify everything is used for peaceful purposes. The nuclear deal also required Tehran to curb its nuclear program and allow IAEA to conduct robust monitoring in exchange for sanctions relief.
Ukraine, Gaza, trade tariffs also at forefront
Trump said it was a mistake to bar Russia from the G-7 in 2014 after it annexed Crimea, and suggested he was open to adding China as a member.
In the wake of the punishing tariffs Trump imposed on most other countries, he said he was focused on trade issues. He left behind the leaders from six other G-7 member nations – Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom – plus the E.U. to spend a final day at the Canadian Rocky Mountain resort of Kananaskis.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte were joining the leaders to discuss Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney the G-7 were gathering at a turning point in history in a world that has become "more divided and dangerous."
European Commissino President Ursula von der Leyen said she told Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Iran should never get a nuclear weapon but "there is an urgent need for a negotiated solution."
"We have consistently voiced strong concerns about Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs — the same missiles indiscriminately hitting cities not only in Israel, but also in Ukraine," said von der Leyen.
"We also discussed Gaza. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is unacceptable," she said. "I reiterated our urgent call to allow all humanitarian aid to reach civilians in need immediately. The resumption of the ceasefire and the immediate release of the hostages, so that a permanent end of the hostilities can be finally achieved, is a must."
