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G7 Leaders Respond to Israel-Iran Hostilities
Zoe Mason, G7 Research Group
June 14, 2025
Early in the morning of Friday, June 13, 2025, the Israeli military launched a series of airstrikes on Iran. Targets in Iran included military leadership, nuclear expertise and nuclear infrastructure, including the Natanz nuclear enrichment site. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the Iranian nuclear program as “a clear and present danger to Israel’s very survival” in a video statement that day.
Iran subsequently launched a series of counterstrikes. Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said that the Israeli attacks “amount to a declaration of war” in a letter to the United Nations.
Several of the world leaders who will be present at the G7 summit in Kananaskis on June 15–17 have released statements regarding the renewal of hostilities between Israel and Iran, including all the leaders of the G7.
All G7 members have called for restraint and diplomacy, and many have also recognized Israel’s right to self-defence.
The host of the summit, Canadian prime minister Mark Carney, said that “Canada reaffirms Israel’s right to defend itself and to ensure its security.” He added: “We call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and move towards a diplomatic resolution.”
Canadian minister of foreign affairs Anita Anand wrote on X: “Canada condemns Iran’s attack on Israel, and urges restraint on both sides. Further actions can cause devastating consequences for the broader region.”
“The U.S.-Iran negotiations represent the best path to achieving a lasting and peaceful resolution to Iran’s nuclear program.”
A statement from US secretary of state Marco Rubio reads: “Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense. President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners.”
Rubio added a warning to the end of his statement: “Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.”
US president Donald Trump told CNN Friday morning that the United States “of course” supports Israel. The president advised Iran to return to the negotiating table “before it’s too late.”
French foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot said in a statement released on X: “France is following with great attention the evolution of the situation in the Middle East, in close coordination with its partners.”
“We reaffirm the right of Israel to defend itself against any attack. It is essential that all diplomatic channels are mobilized to dial down tensions. France is fully engaged to contribute to this.”
British prime minister Keir Starmer wrote on X: “The reports of these strikes are concerning and we urge all parties to step back and reduce tensions urgently. Escalation serves no one in the region.”
“Stability in the Middle East must be the priority and we are engaging partners to de-escalate. Now is the time for restraint, calm and a return to diplomacy.”
In a meeting Friday afternoon between Starmer and Netanyahu, the British prime minister also reaffirmed Israel’s right to self-defence.
German chancellor Friedrich Merz released a lengthy statement in which he indicated that Prime Minister Netanyahu informed the German leader of the forthcoming operations and targets on Friday morning.
Merz also noted in the statement that the German government “has for many years repeatedly voiced its concern about Iran’s advanced nuclear weapons programme,” and points out Iran’s violation of the Treaty of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, calling their non-compliance “a serious threat to the entire region, particularly the State of Israel.”
“We reaffirm that Israel has the right to defend its existence and the safety and security of its citizens. We call on both sides to refrain from taking steps that could lead to further escalation and destabilise the entire region,” he said.
“As before, the aim must be to ensure that Iran does not develop nuclear weapons.”
Politico reports that Italian foreign minister Antonio Tajani stated: “We know that the situation is very complicated, but there is no other solution than a diplomatic one. We hope that the fighting can cease as soon as possible, actions and reactions are dangerous, the situation in the area risks exploding.”
Japan was the sole G7 member to take a firm stance against Israel in its response to the June 13 strikes. Japanese prime minister Ishiba Shigeru is quoted as telling reporters Friday that the Israeli attacks on Iran were “totally intolerable” and “extremely regrettable.”
He added that he intends to explain Japan’s position on the issue at the G7 summit later this week.
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X: “Europe urges all parties to exercise maximum restraint, de-escalate immediately and refrain from retaliation.”
“A diplomatic resolution is now more urgent than ever, for the sake of the region’s stability and global security.”
A statement from the spokesperson for United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres says that Guterres “condemns any military escalation in the Middle East.”
“He is particularly concerned by Israeli attacks on nuclear installations in Iran while talks between Iran and the United States on the status of Iran’s nuclear programme are underway.”
Since the first G7 meeting in 1975, G7 summits have produced 28 commitments on Iran, identified by the G7 Research Group (see Appendix A. The overwhelming majority of these commitments have been on the topic of curbing Iran’s nuclear weapons program.
Of the 28 commitments, 19 have been made since 2014 and 13 since 2021.
At last year’s summit in Apulia, four commitments were made on the topic of Iran. One commitment from the Apulia Summit expressed a condemnation of the Iranian attacks on Israel in April 2024 and reaffirmed a commitment to upholding Israeli security.
G7 governments have complied with their Iran commitments at an annual average of 77%, based on the nine commitments from seven years assessed by the G7 Research Group. This is equal to the G7 members’ all-time, all-subject average of 77%. Compliance with Iran commitments averaged 76% for 2007 and 2008, 86% for 2009, 2014 and 2018, but dropped to 66% for 2019 and 2021. Compliance was led by France, Germany and the United Kingdom, which always had full compliance of 100% on Iran; the United States averaged 61%.
Summit |
Number of commitments |
Compliance |
|
Made |
Assessed |
||
1984 |
1 |
||
2002 |
1 |
||
2007 |
1 |
1 |
78% |
2008 |
2 |
2 |
73% |
2009 |
1 |
1 |
89% |
2011 |
|||
| 2012 | |||
| 2014 | 88% | ||
| 2015 | 2 | ||
| 2016 | |||
| 2018 | 82% | ||
| 2019 | 2 | 63% | |
| 2021 | 3 | 2 | 69% |
| 2022 | 3 | ||
| 2023 | 3 | ||
| 2024 | 4 | ||
| Total | 28 | 9 | 77% (by summit) |
1984-31: We encourage the parties to seek a peaceful and honorable settlement. We shall support any efforts designed to bring this about, particularly those of the United Nationsx Secretary General.
2004-107: To this end, we reaffirm our support for the IAEA Board of Governors’ three Iran resolutions.
2007-288: We remain united in our commitment to resolve the proliferation concerns posed by Iran’s nuclear programme.
2008-170: We firmly support and cooperate with the efforts by China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States supported by the High Representative of the EU to resolve the issue innovatively through negotiation, and urge Iran to respond positively to their offer delivered on 14 June 2008.
2008-282: We expressed serious concern over Iran’s failure to comply with its international obligations under successive UNSCRs, in particular to suspend all enrichment-related activities. We remain committed to a diplomatic solution to the issue through the dual track approach.
2009-174: We remain committed to finding a diplomatic solution to the issue of Iran’s nuclear program and of Iran’s continued failure to meet its international obligations.
2011-13: We are committed to stemming the severe proliferation challenges, particularly in Iran and DPRK, which represent a threat to global stability.
2012-64. We desire a peaceful and negotiated solution to concerns over Iran’s nuclear program, and therefore remain committed to a dual-track approach.
2014-130. We reaffirm our strong commitment to a diplomatic resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue
2015-99: [Based on our common values and principles we are committed to:] Iran
2015-121: We support the continuous efforts by the E3/EU+3 and Iran to achieve a comprehensive solution by 30 June that ensures the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme and ensures that Iran does not acquire a nuclear weapon.
We reaffirm our commitment to actively support the full and effective implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
2018-51: 2018-51. We are committed to permanently ensuring that Iran’s nuclear program remains peaceful, in line with its international obligations and commitments to never seek, develop or acquire a nuclear weapon.
2019-6: [We fully share two objectives:] to ensure that Iran never acquires nuclear weapons
2019-7: [We fully share two objectives:] to foster peace and stability in the region.
2021-271: We are committed to ensuring that Iran will never develop a nuclear weapon.
2021-272: We support the goal of restoring the nonproliferation benefits of the JCPoA and of ensuring the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme.
2021-273: We support efforts to pursue transparency, accountability and justice for the victims of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752, shot down by Iran in January 2020.
2022-230: We reiterate our clear commitment that Iran must never develop a nuclear weapon.
2022-231: The G7 commits to working together, and with other international partners, to address the threat posed to international security by Iran’s nuclear escalation.
2022-231: We continue to support international efforts to hold Iran to account for the unlawful shooting-down of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752.
2023-390: We reiterate our clear determination that Iran must never develop a nuclear weapon.
2023-485: We reiterate our clear determination that Iran must never develop a nuclear weapon.
2023-486: We [commend and] continue to fully support the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) crucial mandates and efforts in Iran.
G7-2024-76: We are prepared to respond in a swift and coordinated manner, including with new and significant measures.
G7-2024-77: We demand that Iran cease its malicious activities and destabilizing actions in the Middle East and] we stand ready to adopt further sanctions or take other measures in response to further destabilizing initiatives.
G7-2024-75: We reiterate our firm condemnation of Iran’s attack against Israel of 13-14 April, which marked an unacceptable escalation,] and we reaffirm our commitment towards Israel’s security.
G7-2024-445: We will continue working to address North Korea’s and Iran’s continued advancement of nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
Zoe Mason is a senior researcher with the G7 Research Group based at the University of Toronto. She is a graduate of the University of Toronto, where she obtained a master’s degree in contemporary international history. Her research focuses primarily on nuclear weapons and American foreign policy. She plans to continue her study of nuclear weapon s policy at the doctoral level.
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