Ottawa: The Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers have expressed support for the recently brokered ceasefire between Israel and Iran, calling for renewed diplomatic efforts to reach a comprehensive agreement on Iran's nuclear program.
In a joint statement released Monday, the ministers emphasized the need for a "comprehensive, verifiable and durable" deal that would address concerns over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. Iran maintains that its nuclear activities are peaceful, while Israel and its allies remain determined to prevent the Islamic Republic from acquiring nuclear weapons.
The ceasefire, announced last week by U.S. President Donald Trump, put an end to a brief but intense military confrontation that began on June 13 when Israel launched strikes on Iranian territory. The conflict, which unfolded amid ongoing tensions over Israel’s war in Gaza since October 2023, had further destabilized an already volatile region.
During the escalation, the U.S. struck Iranian nuclear facilities, prompting a retaliatory missile attack from Iran on a U.S. base in Qatar.
In light of these developments, the G7 urged all sides to exercise restraint. “We urge all parties to avoid steps that could lead to further instability in the region,” the statement read.
U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff noted that talks between Washington and Tehran had shown encouraging signs, and expressed optimism about achieving a sustainable peace arrangement.
The G7 also condemned recent threats against International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi, following an Iranian hardline newspaper’s incendiary claim that Grossi should face trial and execution as an alleged Israeli agent.
On June 12, the IAEA’s 35-member Board of Governors formally censured Iran for violating its commitments under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)—the first such censure in nearly two decades.
Iran, a signatory to the NPT, remains under scrutiny by the U.N. nuclear watchdog, which continues to inspect its facilities. Israel, which is widely believed to possess nuclear weapons, has not joined the NPT and insists its actions against Iran are aimed at preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear arms.
The international community now waits to see whether the fragile ceasefire can pave the way for meaningful diplomatic progress.
