G7 leaders convened Monday, issuing a unified call for de-escalation in the Middle East, specifically targeting the escalating Israel-Iran conflict. This plea came as US President Donald Trump made an unexpected, early departure from the summit.

Trump's return to the international diplomatic stage was cut short. He left the gathering in the Canadian Rockies a day early, coinciding with intensified Israeli military actions against Iran.

After a day advocating diplomacy, Trump shifted his stance. He took to social media, issuing a stark warning to the nearly 10 million residents of Tehran: "Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!" on his Truth Social platform.

Initially hesitant to endorse a joint statement on the crisis, Trump eventually agreed during a dinner. The G7 leaders' statement, released by Canada, urged a resolution to the Iranian crisis leading to broader Middle East de-escalation, including a ceasefire in Gaza.

The joint statement also affirmed Israel's "right to defend itself" while emphasizing "the importance of the protection of civilians," acknowledging the increasing civilian casualties on both sides.

The G7 club of industrial democracies—Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States—reiterated their firm belief that Iran "can never have a nuclear weapon."

Despite weeks of favoring diplomacy and his envoy meeting with Iranian counterparts, Trump swiftly backed Israel's strikes. He asserted that Tehran's clerical state should have accepted his terms.

Before his early departure was announced, Trump told reporters, "I have to be back as soon as I can. I wish I could stay for tomorrow, but they understand, this is big stuff." French President Emmanuel Macron hinted at a potential US diplomatic overture, mentioning "an offer made for a meeting and an exchange."

Since Friday, Israel has targeted major nuclear and military sites in Iran, reportedly killing commanders and nuclear scientists. Iran has retaliated with its own drone and missile volleys on Israel. Macron, however, voiced objections to what appeared to be Israel's goal of toppling the clerical state, stating such external interventions historically fail.

Source: https://www.arabnews.com/node/2604744/world