In a joint statement, the G7 states expressed their solidarity with Israel and condemned Iran’s attack. The EU is discussing new sanctions, Tehran and Moscow are warning of “new, dangerous provocations.”
The heads of state and government of the seven leading industrialized countries (G7) have strongly condemned the major Iranian attack on Israel and reiterated their full support for the security of the Jewish state. “With its actions, Iran has taken a further step towards destabilizing the region and risks provoking an uncontrollable regional escalation,” said a joint statement after a video link of the G7 group convened by the Italian presidency. Such an escalation must be prevented.
The G7 group called on Iran and its proxies in the region to stop their attacks. “We stand ready to take further action now and in response to further destabilizing initiatives,” the statement continued. The heads of state and government also reaffirmed their full solidarity with Israel and their commitment to its security.
G7 group calls for hostages to be released
In this context, the G7 group also called for an end to hostilities in the Gaza Strip and the release of all hostages held by the Islamist Hamas. The G7 states also pledged to continue their efforts to provide humanitarian support to the Palestinian population in the sealed-off coastal strip.
The group is an informal forum of the heads of state and government of the seven major industrialized countries. These include Germany, France, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Canada and the USA. The European Union is also represented at the meetings. Italy currently holds the presidency.
Von der Leyen: Advise on additional Iran sanctions
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said after the meeting that the G7 would continue to make efforts to stabilize the situation. “Looking forward, we will discuss additional sanctions against Iran, particularly regarding Iran’s drone and missile programs,” said Deutsche.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry had demanded that Iran pay a price for its aggression. This includes classifying the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, which carried out the attacks, as a terrorist organization as an immediate reaction, according to a statement that Foreign Office spokesman Lior Haiat also distributed on the X platform. Painful sanctions would have to be imposed on Iran, including in the area of missiles.
Scholz: “You can’t continue on this path”
Before the G7 statement, numerous heads of state and government had already condemned Iran’s attack and warned of further escalation. “You cannot continue on this path,” said Chancellor Olaf Scholz during his trip to China in the metropolis of Chongqing. “We will do everything we can to ensure that there is no further escalation.”
Scholz strongly condemned the Iranian attack. “This is an inexcusable attack, it is a serious escalation of the situation.” It is in no way acceptable, understandable or acceptable. “We can only warn everyone, especially Iran, not to carry on like this,” said the Chancellor.
Moscow and Tehran warn against “provocations”
The foreign ministers of Russia and Iran warned of “new dangerous provocations.” According to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Iranian counterpart Hussein Amirabdollahian, these could lead to increased tensions in the Middle East. “As noted, further escalation of the situation in the region and new dangerous provocative actions may lead to an increase in tensions in the Middle East,” the Russian Foreign Ministry reported on the content of the phone call between the two ministers.
In the opinion of the ministers, the UN Security Council should rather deal with the case. “Preventing such scenarios and eliminating their causes should be the subject of the UN Security Council’s priority attention,” it said. The UN body already wanted to meet at Israel’s request.