Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) nations have issued a unified statement warning against Iran’s nuclear ambitions and reaffirming Israel’s right to defend its sovereignty and national security.
The statement was released late Monday amid escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran, with the G7 calling for broader de-escalation across the Middle East.
The G7 communiqué described Iran as the “principal source of regional instability and terror” and reiterated that the Islamic Republic “can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon.”
The leaders further affirmed Israel’s security rights, noting that the country has a legitimate right to self-defense.
“We affirm that Israel has a right to defend itself. We reiterate our support for the security of Israel,” the statement said.
The development comes as tensions between the two regional adversaries intensified following an Israeli airstrike on Iran on Friday, which Tel Aviv described as a preemptive move to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear capability.
The strike has since triggered retaliatory actions, resulting in continued exchanges of missile fire.
Iranian authorities report that over 220 civilians have died since the escalation began, while Israel says 24 civilians have been killed in retaliatory attacks.
Iran maintains that its nuclear programme remains peaceful and within the provisions of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), to which it is a signatory.
Israel, which is not a signatory to the NPT, is widely believed to possess nuclear weapons but has neither confirmed nor denied the claims.
The G7, which comprises the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, and Japan, urged both nations to exercise restraint and called for a comprehensive de-escalation of hostilities, including a ceasefire in Gaza.
“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,” the statement added.
The leaders also pledged to work closely to safeguard global energy markets, emphasizing the need for stability in the wake of mounting geopolitical risks.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump, who attended the summit virtually, reportedly expressed approval of Israel’s preemptive strike and warned Tehran against any attacks on U.S. personnel or assets in the region.
Trump also stated that Washington remains open to a new nuclear agreement with Iran under revised conditions.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also held high-level discussions with foreign ministers of the UK, France, and the European Union regarding coordinated diplomatic steps to prevent further escalation.
The G7’s firm position underscores renewed international concern over nuclear proliferation and its potential impact on global security and financial stability, particularly in energy-sensitive markets.
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