Germany's foreign minister emphasized the G7's obligation to address Iran's recent attack on Israel during a meeting in Italy on Thursday. Annalena Baerbock disclosed ongoing discussions among her counterparts regarding potential measures in response to what she described as an unprecedented incident. However, she stressed the importance of avoiding further escalation in the region, citing potential dire consequences for its inhabitants.
Reports suggest that the G7 nations, comprising France, Germany, Italy, the UK, the United States, Canada, and Japan, are poised to advocate for individual sanctions against individuals implicated in Iran's missile supply chain. European Union leaders, meanwhile, have already agreed to impose new sanctions on Iran's drone and missile manufacturers following the recent attack.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, present at the meeting, highlighted the need to review and expand the current sanctions regime to enhance its effectiveness. He underscored the importance of implementing decisions made in this regard, while also urging restraint from Israel, given the precarious state of the region, which he described as "on the edge" of war.
In light of escalating tensions, Baerbock and Britain's foreign minister David Cameron visited Israel to appeal for calm and de-escalation. Cameron advocated for the adoption of coordinated sanctions against Iran by the G7, attributing malign activities in the region to the Iranian regime. The G7 ministers further deliberated on the Middle East situation, followed by discussions on Huthi attacks in the Red Sea, before engaging in talks on the ongoing war in Ukraine with special guests NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.
