Meloni, Trump discuss Iran-Israel tensions at G7, urge return to negotiations

Reuters

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and US President Donald Trump met on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada to call for renewed negotiations over Iran and efforts to de-escalate the worsening Middle East crisis.

On Monday evening, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni held a bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump during the G7 summit in Canada, focusing on the growing hostilities between Iran and Israel and the broader instability in the Middle East.

According to a statement from Meloni’s office on Tuesday, both leaders agreed on the importance of reopening negotiations with Iran to prevent further escalation. Meloni also emphasized the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza amid the ongoing war, which began with Israel’s military campaign in October 2023.

“The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the most recent developments in Iran, reaffirming that it would be opportune to reopen negotiations,” the statement said. It also noted that Meloni stressed the “need at this time to work towards reaching a ceasefire in Gaza.”

Beyond Middle East concerns, the leaders also addressed EU-US trade negotiations and preparations for the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague.

In their joint communiqué, G7 leaders expressed support for Israel while blaming Iran for contributing to regional instability. “We urge that the resolution of the Iranian crisis leads to a broader de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, including a ceasefire in Gaza,” the G7 said.

Tensions soared last week after Israeli airstrikes targeted Iranian military and nuclear sites, prompting retaliatory attacks from Tehran. The escalating conflict has fueled fears of a wider regional war.

President Trump left the summit abruptly on Monday, a day earlier than expected, as the situation intensified. Speaking to reporters before departing, he called for the immediate evacuation of Tehran, further signaling Washington's hardline stance.

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