The joint statement received the support of US President Donald Trump after the draft language was adjusted.
The news came as Mr Trump left the summit early to return to Washington, where he said he needed to monitor the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.
From left: President of the European Council Antonio Costa, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, French President Emmanuel Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, US President Donald Trump, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen pose for a group photo in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada on June 16. Photo: Reuters |
In a joint statement, the G7 affirmed that Israel has the right to self-defense and reaffirmed its support for Israel's security, while also affirming the importance of protecting civilians. The G7 said it has always been clear that Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons and called for a resolution of the crisis and a de-escalation of broader hostilities in the Middle East, including a ceasefire in Gaza.
Europe urges Iran to resume nuclear talks, avoid escalation
European foreign ministers called their Iranian counterparts on June 16, calling for a return to nuclear talks with the United States and for restraint in escalating the conflict with Israel. According to a French diplomatic source, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Tehran's priority now is to confront Israel.
"The ministers urged Iran to return to the negotiating table as soon as possible, without preconditions," and called on Iran to avoid any hasty actions against Western interests.
France, Britain and Germany, known as the E3, are parties to the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, which aims to curb Iran's nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. The E3 have separately sent messages to Israel urging it not to attack the Iranian government, infrastructure or civilians.
The 2015 nuclear deal aimed to limit Iran's nuclear program. Photo: Reuters |
Last week, the E3 introduced a resolution approved by the board of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN watchdog, declaring Iran to have failed to meet its non-proliferation obligations.
Under the IAEA resolution, European officials could refer Iran to the UN Security Council later this summer to put more pressure on Iran if nuclear talks fail to make progress. That would be separate from reimposing UN sanctions, known as the rebound mechanism, before the 2015 deal expires on October 18.
Europe is the only party that can trigger the economic recovery mechanism, with diplomats saying the E3 have sought a deadline of the end of August to launch it. It is unclear what their policy will be. French President Emmanuel Macron said the E3 would be key if nuclear talks resume.
Expectations of agreement on ending the conflict
When it comes to cooling down the Israel-Iran conflict, the US has the biggest role to play.
US President Donald Trump has left the G7 summit in Canada early after suggesting he could soon reach a deal with Iran to end the current conflict.
Trump also warned Iranians to evacuate Tehran, highlighting the danger to the city's 10 million residents. Israeli forces also issued an evacuation order to residents in Tehran, warning them of imminent bombings of "military infrastructure" in the area in a social media post that closely resembles regular posts targeting Palestinians in Gaza over the past 20 months. Multiple explosions were heard in the Iranian capital Tehran early on June 17 (local time), according to Iran's state news agency IRNA.
Meanwhile, the New York Times quoted a US official as saying that Mr. Trump had encouraged Vice President JD Vance and his Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, to propose meeting with Iran this week.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had earlier hinted that Tehran was ready to negotiate, saying Trump could end the war with just "a phone call" to Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu.
US Embassy in Jerusalem closed on June 17
The US Embassy in Jerusalem said it was unable to “evacuate or directly assist” Americans leaving Israel. The embassy will be closed on June 17 and advised all US government employees and their family members to continue to shelter in place, in and near their residences until further notice.
Israel's main international airport and all seaports remain closed, with no commercial or charter flights departing from Ben Gurion Airport. The US Embassy recommends that those wishing to leave Israel use land routes to Jordan and Egypt, where flights are still operating.
Israeli UAV shot down near Natanz nuclear facility
Iran has shot down an Israeli drone near the Natanz nuclear facility, the state news agency FARS quoted the deputy governor of Isfahan province in central Iran as saying.
The announcement was posted on Telegram along with images of debris and broken machinery on the ground.
According to the IAEA, Natanz is considered a key nuclear site where Iran has enriched uranium to 60% purity. Weapons-grade uranium is enriched to 90%.
In recent days, the site has been the target of Israeli air strikes, with satellite imagery showing significant damage, including to Natanz's main power supply building, backup and emergency generators.
Two employees of Iran state TV channel killed
Israel attacked the studio of Iran's state-run television channel IRINN on June 16, interrupting a live broadcast by presenter Sahar Imami. The Islamic Republic of Iran Radio (IRIB), which owns IRINN, said news editor Nima Rajabpour and administrative staff member Masoumeh Azimi were killed.
Israel has attacked the studio of Iran's state television channel. Image from Al Jazeera TV channel |
Iran's foreign minister condemned the attack. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that its air force had targeted a "communications center being used for military purposes by the Iranian Armed Forces." The IDF said it had warned civilians of the consequences before carrying out the attack.
MAI HUONG (synthesis)
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