G7 declares Israel's right to self-defense and accuses Iran of destabilization

The G7 leaders reiterated their support for Israel in a joint statement amid the ongoing escalation in the Middle East.

The statement was published on June 17 following virtual consultations of the heads of state. In the document, they directly named Iran as “the main source of instability and terror” in the region and confirmed that Tehran must not obtain nuclear weapons.

The G7 stated that Israel has the right to self-defense and to ensure the security of its citizens. At the same time, the leaders emphasized the importance of protecting civilians on both sides of the conflict.

The countries also called for a prompt ceasefire in Gaza and de-escalation of tensions in the region overall.

In addition, the G7 expressed readiness to coordinate actions to protect the stability of global energy markets if the crisis worsens.

It was previously reported that, due to the escalation between Israel and Iran, the European Union will urgently convene foreign ministers on June 17 to discuss possible steps to reduce tensions and agree on a common approach to stabilizing the situation in the Middle East.