The G7 foreign ministers have warned of an expansion of the conflict in the Middle East. They called for de-escalation. Regarding Iran, it was said that further sanctions were possible.
After the nightly explosions in the Isfahan region of Iran, the foreign ministers of the seven major Western industrial nations have called for “further escalation” to be avoided in the Middle East. “In light of the air strikes on April 19, we call on all parties to work to prevent further escalation,” said the final statement of the three-day G7 foreign ministers’ meeting.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said the round focused on “de-escalating”. According to Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, now is “the hour when everything must be done to ensure that no escalation occurs with unforeseeable consequences for the entire region.” The G7 group includes the USA, Germany, Italy, France, Great Britain, Canada and Japan.
The Foreign Ministers Antony Blinken (USA), Stéphane Séjourné (France), Mélanie Joly (Canada), Antonio Tajani (Italy), Y ko Kamikawa (Japan), Annalena Baerbock (Germany), David Cameron (Great Britain), and Josep Borrell ( High Representative of the EU for Foreign and Security Policy) at the meeting of the G7 foreign ministers in Capri.
Hold accountable for “malicious” actions
The foreign ministers condemned the Iranian attack on Israel at the weekend. Baerbock accused Tehran of having “escalated in an unprecedented way” with the massive attack on Israel. This should not remain without consequences.
The final statement states that the G7 is prepared to impose further sanctions or take other measures – “now and in response to further destabilizing initiatives”. They called on Iran and its allied groups to stop their attacks.
According to Iranian state media, there were several explosions in the Iranian province of Isfahan during the night. US media reported that it was a retaliatory action by Israel for Iran’s massive attack on Israel last weekend. They cited government circles in Washington.
Blinken does not confirm Israel’s alleged counterattack
US Secretary of State Blinken did not officially confirm a suspected attack by Israel. Blinken said he would not “elaborate on such reports other than to say that the United States was not involved in any offensive operations.” Iran rejected the US media reports as false.
There was also no confirmation from the German Foreign Minister about the alleged Israeli attack on targets in Iran.
Criticism of the planned Rafah offensive
In addition to the conflict with Iran, the ministers also discussed the war in the Gaza Strip. The G7 rejected an offensive planned by Israel in Rafah and denounced the high number of victims. They noted “with great concern the unacceptable number of civilians” killed in the Gaza Strip, the final statement said. According to Blinken, the G7 is calling for more humanitarian aid to be made available to the people of the Gaza Strip. Important steps have been taken here in the past few weeks.
More air defense help for Ukraine in prospect
The final declaration also addresses the situation in Ukraine. Accordingly, the G7 wants to strengthen “Ukraine’s air defense capabilities”. However, there have not yet been any concrete new commitments.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Baerbock had pushed for additional air defense systems to be made available to Ukraine. The appeals were directed at the USA, but also at France and Italy. Germany is currently preparing to deliver a third “Patriot” system.
Christina Nagel, ARD Berlin, tagesschau, April 19, 2024 2:59 p.m