The European Commission and G7 leaders condemned Iran’s retaliatory attack on Israel, demanded that Iran cease attacks completely, and said on Sunday they would work to try to prevent an “uncontrollable regional escalation” in the Middle East. Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, also called for an end to the “crisis in Gaza”. EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called for an extraordinary meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers on Tuesday to discuss the attack.
Italy, which holds the rotating presidency of the G7, had called a meeting of G7 heads after U.S. President Joe Biden pledged a coordinated diplomatic response to the unprecedented drone and missile attack launched overnight by Iran.
“With its actions, Iran has further stepped toward the destabilization of the region and risks provoking an uncontrollable regional escalation. This must be avoided,” a statement issued by Italy said.
The G7 groups the United States, Canada, Italy, Britain, France, Germany and Japan, as well as the European Union.
The G7 leaders, who spoke for just under an hour on a video conference, called for Iran to exercise restraint.
“In this spirit, we demand that Iran and its proxies cease their attacks, and we stand ready to take further measures now and in response to further destabilizing initiatives,” their statement said.
“With its actions, Iran has further stepped toward the destabilization of the region and risks provoking an uncontrollable regional escalation. This must be avoided,” a statement issued by Italy said.
The G7 groups the United States, Canada, Italy, Britain, France, Germany and Japan, as well as the European Union.
The G7 leaders, who spoke for just under an hour on a video conference, called for Iran to exercise restraint.
“In this spirit, we demand that Iran and its proxies cease their attacks, and we stand ready to take further measures now and in response to further destabilizing initiatives,” their statement said.
This is not to say that Israel can expect to receive support in any and all its actions. The U.S. is arguably the staunchest ally Israel has, but President Biden has warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he is drawing a line at the White House taking part in a counter-offensive against Iran if Israel decides to retaliate.
Iran launched the attack in response to a suspected Israeli strike on its consulate in Syria on April 1 that killed top Revolutionary Guards commanders and followed months of clashes between Israel and Iran’s regional allies, triggered by the war in Gaza.
The G7 statement also pledged to work “towards an immediate and sustainable ceasefire” in Gaza after more than six months of fighting.
G7’s foreign ministers are scheduled to meet over April 17-19 on the Italian island of Capri.
In a separate statement, EC President Von der Leyen said the bloc’s commitment towards Israel’s security remains “unshakable” and said that further discussions would take place on additional sanctions against Iran, “specifically on its drone and missile programs.”
Also on Sunday, Josep Borrell, EU’s chief diplomat, called an extraordinary meeting of EU member states foreign ministers.
“Our objective is to contribute to de-escalation and security of the region,” Borrell wrote on social media platform X.
In a separate tweet, Borrell condemned “in the strongest terms the Iranian attacks against Israel,” while calling on all parties to exercise utmost restraint. He also stated that he “spoke to Iran’s FM Abdollahian to convey these messages [and] urge[d] Iran not to escalate further.
Iran launched the attack in response to a suspected Israeli strike on its consulate in Syria on April 1 that killed top Revolutionary Guards commanders and followed months of clashes between Israel and Iran’s regional allies, triggered by the war in Gaza.
The G7 statement also pledged to work “towards an immediate and sustainable ceasefire” in Gaza after more than six months of fighting.
G7’s foreign ministers are scheduled to meet over April 17-19 on the Italian island of Capri.
In a separate statement, EC President Von der Leyen said the bloc’s commitment towards Israel’s security remains “unshakable” and said that further discussions would take place on additional sanctions against Iran, “specifically on its drone and missile programs.”
Also on Sunday, Josep Borrell, EU’s chief diplomat, called an extraordinary meeting of EU member states foreign ministers.
“Our objective is to contribute to de-escalation and security of the region,” Borrell wrote on social media platform X.
The extraordinary meeting will by one day precede an already scheduled meeting of G7’s foreign ministers on the Italian island of Capri, which will take place between April 17 and April 19.Following the Iranian attacks against Israel, I have called an extraordinary VTC meeting of EU Foreign Affairs ministers, on Tuesday.
— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) April 14, 2024
Our objective is to contribute to de-escalation and security of the region.
In a separate tweet, Borrell condemned “in the strongest terms the Iranian attacks against Israel,” while calling on all parties to exercise utmost restraint. He also stated that he “spoke to Iran’s FM Abdollahian to convey these messages [and] urge[d] Iran not to escalate further.
Source: Reuters
More In Politics MORE...
