The Group of Seven (G7) nations have thrown their support behind Israel while strongly condemning Iran, as the fifth day of open conflict between the two regional powers further inflames global concerns over stability in the Middle East.
In a joint statement issued late Monday, G7 leaders expressed unequivocal support for Israel’s right to self-defense and labeled Iran as the “principal source of regional instability and terror.” The statement urged a broader de-escalation of hostilities across the region, including an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
Smoke rises from the building of Iran’s state-run television after an Israeli strike in Tehran, Iran, Monday, June 16, 2025. (AP Photo)
“We affirm that Israel has a right to defend itself. We reiterate our support for the security of Israel,” the statement read, adding, “Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.”
The Question of Nuclear Weapons
The air war erupted Friday after Israel launched what it called a preemptive strike aimed at halting Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Iran, which denies seeking nuclear weapons and maintains its right to peaceful nuclear enrichment under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), responded with a barrage of missile and drone attacks. So far, as reported in Reuters, Iranian officials report more than 220 deaths, mostly civilians, while Israel has confirmed 24 civilian casualties.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One after departing early from the the G7 summit in Canada to return to Washington, June 17, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
The escalating conflict has alarmed regional and global powers. U.S. President Donald Trump, attending the G7 summit in Canada, left the meeting early to address the growing crisis. Though the U.S. maintains it is not directly involved in Israeli operations, Trump said Washington was aware of the strikes in advance and called them “excellent.” He also posted a warning online urging “everyone to immediately evacuate Tehran.”
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held emergency discussions with counterparts in Britain, France, and the European Union, reaffirming Washington’s support for Israel and its continued pursuit of a nuclear agreement with Iran.
The G7 also emphasized energy stability as a priority, vowing to coordinate closely on safeguarding energy markets, which have grown volatile amid fears of disruption.
“The resolution of the Iranian crisis must lead to a broader de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East,” the G7 said, citing both the Iran-Israel conflict and the war in Gaza.
Russia – Trump’s Wannabe Peacemaker
Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the situation as a “galloping escalation” and reiterated Moscow’s offer to mediate between the warring sides. However, as it was reported in Reuters, he noted that Israel appeared uninterested in such efforts for now.
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with CEO of Rostec state corporation Sergei Chemezov in Moscow, Russia, June 17, 2025. Sputnik/Gavriil Grigorov/Pool via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY.
Russia, which signed a strategic partnership treaty with Iran earlier this year, also maintains longstanding ties with Israel, though those have been tested by the Ukraine war and Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Adding to the geopolitical drama, Trump reignited debate over the role of Russia in global diplomacy. Speaking from the G7 summit, he said it was a big mistake to expel Russia from the Group of Eight in 2014 over its annexation of Crimea. The Kremlin echoed his view, dismissing the G7 as a declining force in global affairs and calling the format useless compared to broader forums like the G20.
As both military and diplomatic efforts evolve, the conflict between Iran and Israel remains at the center of international concern—posing serious threats to regional stability, global energy supply, and the fragile state of world diplomacy.
