According to Reuters and AFP on the 16th, the G7 leaders said in a joint statement prepared at the G7 summit in Canada, “We affirm that Israel has the right to defend itself,” adding, “We once again express our support for Israel’s security.”
“We have repeatedly made it clear that Iran will never have nuclear weapons,” he added. “We urge the resolution of the Iranian crisis to lead to widespread easing of hostilities in the Middle East, including a ceasefire in Gaza.”
In addition, the G7 said in a statement, “We are ready to cooperate to maintain stability in the energy market.”
Initially, U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly decided not to sign a joint statement calling for easing tensions between Iran and Israel, but the G7 leaders, including the U.S., agreed to a joint statement.
The New York Times (NYT) quoted a U.S. official as saying that President Trump changed his mind after the wording of the draft statement was changed.
Meanwhile, President Trump shortened his schedule to attend the G7 summit by one day and went home later that night. “Iran should have signed the (nuclear) agreement that I told him to sign,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social, a social media outlet, just before the announcement of his early return to Korea. “Iran cannot have nuclear weapons and I have said it over and over again.” He stressed that everyone should evacuate from Tehran immediately.
The White House is said to be discussing holding a meeting this week between Steve Witkov, the Middle East envoy, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. As attention is focused on whether the U.S. will participate in the talks directly, attention is being paid to whether the two sides can make a breakthrough.
EJ SONG
US ASIA JOURNAL
