IRIA News

Leaders of the G7 nations conducted a virtual meeting on April 14, 2023, at the request of U.S. President Joe Biden to discuss the regional and global security affairs after Iran launched over 300 missiles and drones in a retaliatory attack on Israel.

The virtual meeting was presided by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, as Italy currently holds the rotating presidency of the G7. Leaders of the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Canada, Japan, and representatives of the European Commission were present during the virtual meeting.

Following their video call, the leaders of the world’s most advanced democracies released a joint statement “unequivocally condemning” Iran’s actions in the strongest terms, and reiterating “dedication to ensuring” Israel’s security.

The meeting recognized Israel’s significant achievement in effectively defending itself against the recent barrage of attacks, describing it as a “victory.” The United States, along with the UK and Jordan, aided Israel in intercepting numerous drones and missiles launched by Tehran. Israeli officials reported that 99% of the incoming weapons were successfully intercepted, resulting in minimal damage.

“We express our full solidarity and support to Israel and its people and reaffirm our commitment towards its security,” they said in the statement published by the Italian G7 presidency.

U.S. President Joe Biden, who called the emergency meeting, said that it was intended “to coordinate a united diplomatic response to Iran’s brazen attack.”

New sanctions on Iran

The emergency meeting discussed the possibility of imposing new sanctions on Iran in response to recent events, aiming to exert diplomatic and economic pressure on the country.

The leaders also said that Iran, “with its actions, has further stepped toward the destabilization of the region and risks provoking an uncontrollable regional escalation.” They said their nations “stand ready to take further measures now and in response to further destabilizing initiatives.”

Iran launched the attack, its first ever to directly target Israeli territory, in retaliation for a deadly airstrike widely blamed on Israel that destroyed its consular building in Syria’s capital early this month. The attack came as the Israel-Hamas war raged in besieged Gaza.

The G7 members emphasized that achieving lasting peace and stability in the broader region hinges on finding a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. They acknowledged that without addressing the root causes of the Gaza conflict, it would be challenging to resolve the wider regional crisis and promote sustainable peace in the area.

“We will also strengthen our cooperation to end the crisis in Gaza, including by continuing to work towards an immediate and sustainable ceasefire and the release of hostages by Hamas, and deliver increased humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in need,” the G7 leaders said in the joint statement.

Further discussion on the matters related to the Middle Eastern security crises is expected to occur during the upcoming G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Capri, Italy, from April 16-19. 

Israel weighs response

The war cabinet of Israel also convened on the afternoon following the Iranian attack, to deliberate potential reactions to a substantial Iranian drone and missile assault overnight. The war cabinet has been authorized to respond to the attack with one of its members, Benny Gantz, saying the “event is not over.”

U.S. President Joe Biden has been urging Israel to restrain as the situation in the Middle East is near the brink of escalating into a full-scale regional conflict.

According to a White House official, President Joe Biden has cautioned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the United States would not participate in a retaliatory strike against Iran if Israel chooses to respond to a significant drone and missile assault on Israeli soil overnight.

Iran says next attack could be “much bigger”

Iran has declared the start of a “new equation” in its adversarial ties with Israel as Tehran issued a warning of a potentially “much larger” strike if Netanyahu opts for retaliatory action.

“We have decided to create a new equation, which is that if from now on the Zionist regime attacks our interests, assets, personalities, and citizens, anywhere, and at any point we will retaliate against them,” the Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Hossein Salami told Iranian state broadcaster.