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G7 leaders unanimously condemned Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel on Sunday (April 14), as international concerns continue to rise and push the issue to the top of the EU’s agenda next week. He condemned the move and called for “restraint” from all sides to prevent a regional war.
The extraordinary meeting was convened by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and was held after Iran launched more than 300 missiles and drones against Israel on Saturday night.
The attack was the first to directly target Israeli territory, and the Iranian government said it was in retaliation for a deadly airstrike that destroyed its consulate in the Syrian capital Damascus earlier this month.
In a joint statement after the meeting, the G7 leaders accused Iran of moving further “toward destabilizing the region,” adding that Iran “risks triggering uncontrollable regional escalation.”
“This must be avoided,” the statement said.
The region was on high alert Sunday as Israel’s war cabinet debated whether and how to retaliate against Iran, and Western leaders fear the conflict could spread across the region.
The G7 leaders said they would “continue to work towards stabilizing the situation and avoiding further escalation.”
“In this spirit, we call on Iran and its proxies to cease their attacks, and we remain prepared to take further steps in response to further destabilizing efforts.”
The G7 leaders also said they would step up cooperation “to end the Gaza crisis, including continuing efforts towards an immediate and sustainable ceasefire and the release of Hamas hostages,” and provide humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in need. He also vowed to strengthen it.
The statement reflected widespread concerns over an “unprecedented escalation”, with Europeans earlier on Sunday condemned Iran’s attack on Israel. Many have expressed concern about the risk of catastrophic events across the region.
EU expected to focus on Iran
European Council President Charles Michel wrote: X “We unanimously condemned Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel,” he said after the video meeting.
“We will continue to make every effort to de-escalate tensions. Ending the crisis in Gaza as soon as possible, especially through an immediate ceasefire, will make a difference,” he added.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced after the G7 meeting that the EU would “work closely with our partners to consider further sanctions against Iran, particularly regarding its drone and missile programs.”
According to some EU diplomats, such a move would have a double effect, as it would also limit Tehran’s ability to supply drones to Russia for the Ukraine war.
The EU’s chief diplomat, Josep Borrell, called the Iranian attack an “unprecedented escalation and a serious threat to regional security” and will host an extraordinary video conference of EU foreign ministers on Sunday on Tuesday. said.
“Our aim is to contribute to de-escalation and security in the region,” Borrell said. X.
The situation in the Middle East, including Lebanon, is expected to be on the agenda when EU leaders hold an informal summit in Brussels on Wednesday and Thursday.
[Edited by Zoran Radosavljevic]
Read more at Euractiv
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