by Temitope Oladeji
17/6/2025
The Group of Seven (G7) nations have expressed their support for Israel in a joint statement released late Monday while accusing Iran of fueling instability in the Middle East.
The leaders further called for a broader de-escalation of hostilities in the region.
Tensions escalated sharply after Israel launched a series of missiles and drone strikes on Iran last Friday, marking the beginning of an aerial conflict that has added to an already volatile situation since Israel’s military operations in Gaza since October 2023.
“We affirm that Israel has a right to defend itself and reiterate our support for its security,” the G7 statement said.
The leaders also declared, “Iran is the principal source of regional instability and terror,” and emphasized that Tehran must never acquire a nuclear weapon.
Israel described Friday’s strikes as a preemptive move to block Iran from advancing its nuclear program.
Since then, both countries have exchanged attacks. Iranian officials report over 220 fatalities, mostly civilians, while Israel claims 24 of its civilians have been killed.
Iran has denied seeking nuclear weapons, asserting its right to develop nuclear technology for peaceful use, including uranium enrichment, under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), to which it is a signatory.
Israel, which is not a party to the NPT, possesses nuclear weapons, although it neither confirms nor denies this.
Amid the escalating crisis, U.S. President Donald Trump announced his early departure to leave the G7 summit in Canada and return to Washington.
While the U.S. maintains it is not directly involved in the Israeli attacks, Trump acknowledged prior knowledge of the strikes and described them as “excellent.”
Washington has also warned Iran against targeting American interests or personnel.
The G7 leaders urged a resolution to the crisis that could lead to a wider reduction in violence across the Middle East, including a ceasefire in Gaza.
They also expressed readiness to coordinate efforts to ensure stability in global energy markets.
On Monday, an Israeli airstrike targeted Iran’s state broadcasting service. In a social media post, Trump advised civilians to evacuate Tehran immediately.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held phone discussions with counterparts from the United Kingdom, France, and the European Union to address the Israel-Iran conflict.
Despite the current hostilities, Washington stated that the U.S. remains open to pursuing a nuclear agreement with Iran.