The leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) nations have issued a joint statement calling for a “de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, including a ceasefire in Gaza”. This comes as tensions between Israel and Iran continue to escalate, with both countries exchanging attacks for the fifth consecutive day.
In their statement, the G7 leaders reiterated their commitment to peace and stability in the region, affirming that “Israel has a right to defend itself”. However, they also emphasized the need for de-escalation, urging that the resolution of the Iranian crisis leads to a broader de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East. The statement described Iran as the “principal source of regional instability and terror”, adding that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.
US President Donald Trump left the G7 summit in Canada early, citing the need to return to Washington due to the escalating situation in the Middle East. Trump’s exit came after a dinner with world leaders, and he will miss in-person meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum scheduled for Tuesday.
Before leaving the summit, Trump posted on social media that Iran should have signed the deal he proposed during the recent US-Iran nuclear talks. He also urged Iranians to “immediately evacuate” their capital, Tehran, without providing further details. These comments came after Iranian media reported explosions and heavy air defense fire in Tehran.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the deployment of additional capabilities to the Middle East to enhance the Pentagon’s defensive posture. However, American officials rejected suggestions that the US was about to join the Israeli offensive on Iran.
World leaders at the G7 summit expressed understanding for Trump’s need to leave early. French President Emmanuel Macron said, “If the United States can achieve a ceasefire, that’s a very good thing.” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s spokesperson described Trump’s exit as “understandable”, despite the two leaders being scheduled to meet on Tuesday to discuss tariffs.
The conflict between Israel and Iran has raised concerns about all-out war between the rival nations. According to the Iranian health ministry, at least 224 people have been killed in Iran since the Israeli strikes began. In Israel, the government reported at least 24 deaths and over 500 injuries.
Despite the tensions, the G7 summit saw some progress on trade deals. Trump formally signed off on a UK-US trade deal, removing some trade barriers between the two countries. Additionally, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said a trade deal might be struck between the US and Canada within 30 days to resolve tit-for-tat import taxes.
