G7 Leaders Pledge to Prevent Tehran from Developing Nuclear Weapon

The G7 pledged to working together, and with other international partners, to address the threat posed to international security by Iran’s nuclear escalation
The G7 pledged to working together, and with other international partners, to address the threat posed to international security by Iran’s nuclear escalation
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G7 Leaders Pledge to Prevent Tehran from Developing Nuclear Weapon

The G7 pledged to working together, and with other international partners, to address the threat posed to international security by Iran’s nuclear escalation
The G7 pledged to working together, and with other international partners, to address the threat posed to international security by Iran’s nuclear escalation

Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) reiterated Tuesday their clear commitment that Iran must never develop a nuclear weapon.

They called on the Iranian government to benefit from the available diplomatic opportunity to return to the nuclear deal.

This comes as indirect takes between Washington and Tehran to revive the nuclear pact will resume soon through the European Union mediation.

In a final communique from Elmau, Germany, the G7 (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States) expressed regret that despite intense diplomatic efforts to restore full implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA), Iran has not yet seized the opportunity to conclude a deal.

It pledged to working together, and with other international partners, to address the threat posed to international security by Iran’s nuclear escalation, stressing that the diplomatic solution remains the best way to restrict Iran’s nuclear program and force it to fulfill its legal obligations with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The communique strongly condemned Tehran’s continued destabilizing activity in the Middle East region, calling upon Iran to stop all ballistic missile activities and proliferation that threaten maritime security in the Gulf.

The G7 leaders further welcomed regional initiatives to improve bilateral relations between partners in the region and called on Iran to contribute “actively and constructively to fostering regional peace and security in the Middle East.”

They also reiterated their shared profound concern over the continued human rights violations and abuses in Iran, including arbitrary arrest and detention, and condemn Iran’s increased use of capital punishment.

US President Joe Biden and French, British and German leaders held a meeting on the last day of the G7 summit, during which they discussed Iran’s nuclear file and the possibility of its return to the deal.

The EU is looking to diversify its energy sources to reduce demand and stabilize oil prices, which have risen significantly due to the war in Ukraine.

“There are resources elsewhere that need to be explored,” a French official said on the sidelines of a G7 summit in Germany, when asked about how to alleviate high oil prices.

The outstanding issue between Iran and the United States was no longer linked to the nuclear dossier but to US terrorism sanctions, he said.

“So there is a knot that needs to be untied if applicable... to get Iranian oil back on the market,” the official told reporters, speaking on condition of anonymity. “We have Venezuelan oil that also needs to come back to the market.”



Reactions to the ICC warrants

An exterior view of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, 21 November 2024. EPA/REMKO DE WAAL
An exterior view of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, 21 November 2024. EPA/REMKO DE WAAL
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Reactions to the ICC warrants

An exterior view of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, 21 November 2024. EPA/REMKO DE WAAL
An exterior view of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, 21 November 2024. EPA/REMKO DE WAAL

These are reactions to the International Criminal Court arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas commander Ibrahim al-Masri, who is believed to be dead.

The warrants are for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and Israel's military campaign in Gaza since then.

ISRAEL:
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office:
"Israel rejects with disgust the absurd and false actions leveled against it by ICC," the office said, calling the move antisemitic.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog:
"The decision chose the side of terrorism and evil over democracy and freedom and turned the international justice system itself into a human shield for Hamas' crimes against humanity."

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar:
"A dark moment for the International Criminal Court," Saar said, adding the court had "lost all legitimacy" and adding that it had issued "absurd orders without authority".

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid:
"Israel defends its life against terrorist organizations that attacked, murdered and raped our citizens, these arrest warrants are a reward for terrorism."

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich:
"Israel will continue to defend its citizens and its security with determination," he said, urging Netanyahu to sever contact with the court and impose sanctions on the Palestinian Authority and its leaders "to the point of its collapse".

Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir:
"The International Criminal Court in The Hague shows once again that it is antisemitic through and through."

PALESTINIANS:

Hamas official statement:
"We call on the International Criminal Court to expand the scope of accountability to all criminal occupation leaders."

Senior Hamas official Basem Naim:
"This is an important step on the path to justice and bringing justice to the victims but it remains a limited and spiritual step if it is not backed practically by all countries."

UNITED STATES:
Republican US Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of President-elect Trump: "The Court is a dangerous joke. It is now time for the US Senate to act and sanction this irresponsible body."

EUROPE:
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the ICC warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant are not political and the court decision should be respected and implemented.

Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp told parliament, "The Netherlands obviously respects the independence of the ICC," adding: "We won't engage in non-essential contacts and we will act on the arrest warrants. We fully comply with the Rome Statute of the ICC," he added.

France's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Christophe Lemoine said the French reaction to the warrants would be "in line with ICC statutes" but declined to say whether France would arrest the leader if he came to the country. "It's a point that is legally complex," he said.

Norway's Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said, "It is important that the ICC carries out its mandate in a judicious manner. I have confidence that the court will proceed with the case based on the highest fair trial standards."

Ireland's Prime Minister Simon Harris called the warrants "an extremely significant step" and added that Ireland respects the role of the ICC and anyone in a position to assist it in carrying out its vital work must do so "with urgency".

MIDDLE EAST:
Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said the ICC rulings should be respected and implemented, adding that "Palestinians deserve justice".