G7 Leaders Convene Urgent Talks Amid Iran-Israel Escalation
The leaders of the G7 are set to convene a video conference this afternoon in response to Iran's recent aggression against Israel, a development that has sparked concerns of further escalation in the Middle East conflict, as reported by Politico.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced that Italy, the current holder of the G7 presidency, will host the meeting. Meloni, alongside other prominent international figures, condemned Iran's attack on Israel Saturday evening, denouncing it as a significant breach of regional stability.
Tehran's launch of ballistic missiles and drones against Israeli targets has intensified fears of a broader conflict in the region. Iran has also issued threats of retaliation following a fatal Israeli strike on its consulate in Syria.
President Joe Biden characterised the assault as an "unprecedented aerial attack against Israeli military installations" and emphasised the need for a united diplomatic response from the G7 leaders.
Additionally, Biden underscored that American officials will maintain close communication with Israeli counterparts in the wake of the crisis.
According to reports from the Israeli army, Iran launched over 300 missiles and drones towards Israel, with a remarkable 99% interception rate. Biden credited U.S. assistance in thwarting the majority of these attacks.
The heightened alert status in the region follows an Israeli operation that resulted in the death of a senior Iranian officer at an embassy in Syria. Biden highlighted recent deployments of American military assets, including aircraft and missile defence systems, to the area.
Meanwhile, the Israeli government has urgently called for a meeting of the UN Security Council to address the escalating tensions.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
