G7 urges Iran to resume nuclear diplomacy - Reuters

]People wave flags next to an Iranian missile on display during the 46th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in Tehran, Iran, February 10, 2025.
]People wave flags next to an Iranian missile on display during the 46th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in Tehran, Iran, February 10, 2025.

Foreign ministers from the G7 grouping of wealthy democracies criticized Iran for destabilizing the Middle East and urged it to resume negotiations over its nuclear program, according to a draft statement cited by Reuters.

The top diplomats were gathered in La Malbaie, Canada, to discuss a common strategy as the return of President Donald Trump has upended the relationship of de facto G7 leader the United States with its peers.

Their statement cited by Reuters said Iran was a principal driver of instability in the Middle East and urged Tehran to resolve the standoff over its disputed nuclear program through diplomacy.

It also criticized Iran's increasing use of what they called arbitrary detention and foreign assassination attempts as a means of coercion.

The G7 nations include the United States, Britain, France, Canada, Germany, Italy and Japan. The final draft of the foreign ministers' statement awaits formal approval ahead of expected publication later on Friday.

Iran denies seeking a nuclear weapon, but the UN's nuclear watchdog last week pointed to a sharp rise in Tehran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium.

The United States and European Union said Iran's activities serve no credible civilian purpose and demanded it immediately desist.

Iran’s Supreme Leader on Wednesday said President Trump's past withdrawal from a nuclear deal renders diplomacy with him pointless now and vowed harsh retaliation to any attack by the United States or its allies.