G7 Urges Iran to Resume Direct Talks with U.S., Welcomes Trigger Mechanism Activation

According to reports, the G7 foreign ministers – representing Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, along with the EU High Representative – convened on Tuesday during the UN leaders’ week and issued a statement addressing Iran, Russia, and North Korea.

In the section on Iran, the ministers urged Tehran to adhere to its obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), fully implement its commitments, resume comprehensive cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and engage in direct negotiations with Washington to reach a strong, durable, and comprehensive nuclear agreement ensuring that Iran never obtains nuclear weapons.

“We welcomed the decision of the three European countries (E3) to activate the mechanism for the automatic reimposition of sanctions,” the statement read.

Concerns Over Russia’s Actions
The G7 also criticized Russia, voicing concern over recent violations of airspace in Estonia, Poland, and Romania, describing the actions as “unacceptable and a threat to international security.” They reaffirmed their commitment to providing Ukraine with security assurances, emphasizing: “We remain dedicated to working together for a strong, independent, sovereign, and prosperous Ukraine.” They further expressed support for consultations on using frozen Russian sovereign assets to aid Ukraine.

Position on Gaza and Hamas
The G7 statement condemned Hamas without addressing Israel’s actions in Gaza. It stressed the urgent need to alleviate the suffering of civilians in Gaza through large-scale humanitarian assistance and the release of all hostages, while calling for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

“We unequivocally condemned Hamas, particularly for its brutal and unjustified terrorist attacks of October 7, 2023. We reaffirmed that Hamas cannot play any role in Gaza’s future and must not pose a renewed threat to Israel,” the statement said. The ministers also expressed readiness to work with Arab partners on proposals for Gaza’s reconstruction and on efforts toward a lasting Israeli-Palestinian peace.

North Korea and the Indo-Pacific
The G7 reiterated its opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion in the East China Sea, South China Sea, and the Taiwan Strait. The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea and called for an immediate resolution of the issue of Japanese citizens abducted by Pyongyang.

Call for UN Reform
As the UN approaches its 80th anniversary, the G7 stressed the need for fundamental reforms in the organization and reaffirmed their readiness to participate in efforts to ensure its effectiveness and relevance to today’s global challenges.