The Group of Seven (G7) condemned Iran for its attacks on Israel and overall behavior on Friday, but also called on both sides to de-escalate amid reports of Israeli retaliation.
A meeting of the foreign ministers of the group of industrialized democracies had been underway on the Italian island of Capri since Wednesday.
A communique closing the meeting said: “In light of reports of strikes on April 19, we urge all parties to work together
to prevent further escalation. The G7 will continue to work towards this.
“We call on all parties, both in the region and beyond, to make their positive contribution to this collective effort.”
Italy currently chairs the G7 group. Other members include the US, Canada, UK, France, Japan and Germany.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken personally called for “de-escalation” in comments to reporters, but did not confirm that at least one Israeli missile had hit Iran early Friday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had threatened retaliation after Iran fired about 300 drones and missiles at the Jewish state over the weekend, although most were shot down by Israel and allies.
That attack was Iran’s response to Israel’s alleged killing of two Tehran generals on April 1 on the grounds of the Iranian embassy in the Syrian capital Damascus.
The G7 statement focused mainly on Iran being belligerent, and Israel was not mentioned when calling for calm.
“We condemn in the strongest terms Iran’s direct and unprecedented attack on Israel from April 13 to 14, which Israel defeated with the help of its partners. This was a dangerous escalation,” the report said.
Before Iran’s attack, Israel was under pressure from G7 powers over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, where Israel has waged war in an attempt to root out Hamas militants whom the country blames for a terrorist attack in Israel in October.
More than 1,200 people were killed in the terrorist attack by Hamas and other Islamist groups. The Hamas-controlled health authority in Gaza says more than 33,000 civilians have been killed in the Israeli bombardment.
Even in discussing Gaza, the G7 communiqué framed the conflict and other proxy conflicts in the Middle East through the prism of Iran.
“We call on Iran to refrain from providing support to Hamas and from taking further actions that destabilize the Middle East, including support for Lebanese Hezbollah,” the report said.
“Iran’s continued supply of weapons and related materials to the (Yemeni) Houthis…is dangerously increasing tension.”
The G7 foreign ministers also reiterated their determination that Iran should never develop or acquire nuclear weapons.
On another major war, the G7 again called on Iran as it maintained steadfast support for Ukraine more than two years after the Russian invasion.
“We are extremely concerned about reports that Iran is considering transferring ballistic missiles and related technology to Russia. We call on Iran not to do so, as this would represent a substantial material escalation in its support for the Russian war,” the report said.
“Should Iran continue to supply ballistic missiles or something like that?
technology to Russia, we are prepared to respond in a rapid and coordinated manner, including with new and important measures against Iran.”
In a separate statement on Ukraine, the G7’s “unwavering determination” to support Ukraine in its struggle with Russia “within internationally recognized limits” was reaffirmed, implying that the West is in no mood to accept Moscow’s confiscated Ukraine land.
G7 foreign ministers also agreed to continue to deepen partnerships with African countries and help end long-standing conflicts there, while working to solve the problem of forced migration.
In a call with China, the G7 also reiterated “the commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific” but said it recognized “the importance of constructive and stable relations” with Beijing while condemning North Korea’s aggression.
