G7 calls for de-escalation of the Middle East conflict

G7 leaders called for a de-escalation of the conflict between Israel and Iran and in the Middle East at a summit in Canada. In a joint declaration, they called for the protection of civilians, emphasizing Israel's right to defend itself and identifying Iran as the main source of instability in the region.

“We have always been clear that Iran will never be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon,” the leaders said in a joint statement Monday in Kananaskis.

“We demand that the resolution of the Iran crisis be achieved through a broader de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, including a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip,” they wrote.

The situation in the Middle East has deteriorated rapidly in the past few days. On the night of Monday and Tuesday, Iran and Israel once again attacked each other with missiles.

US President Donald Trump sent mixed signals during the G7 meeting, AFP noted. First, he assured that an agreement would be reached on the conflict between Iran and Israel, but later wrote on his social media: "Everyone should evacuate Tehran immediately."

Trump ultimately departed the summit by helicopter Monday evening local time, a day earlier than planned. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said the reason was “events in the Middle East.”

The Axios portal reported that the American president has not given up on diplomatic efforts and is talking to Iran about the possibility of organizing a meeting between the participation of the US presidential special envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi.

The G7 joint declaration on the Middle East may be the only document issued by the G7 heads of state and government in Kananaskis, as the summit lost momentum after Trump's departure, writes AFP. The planned bilateral meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will not take place, and European leaders did not have time to convince Trump to tighten sanctions against Russia.

The US president did not hide his skepticism about possible new sanctions against Moscow on Monday. "Sanctions are not an easy thing," he said, adding that tightening them would involve "colossal costs" for the United States as well.

Canada currently chairs the G7. (PAP)

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