Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) major democracies convened on the Italian island of Capri for a three-day summit overshadowed by concerns of potential Israeli retaliation against Iran following recent missile and drone attacks.
The escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, alongside conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, will dominate the agenda for representatives from the United States, Britain, France, Italy, Germany, Canada, and Japan. Italy, holding the G7’s rotating presidency, is advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza and a reduction of tensions in the Middle East. However, despite Western appeals for restraint, Israel appears poised to respond to Iran’s recent attacks.
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani emphasized the G7’s commitment to pursuing peace amid heightened international tensions. Following a presumed Israeli airstrike on Iran’s embassy compound in Damascus, resulting in casualties among Iranian officers, the G7 nations expressed support for Israel.
The United States announced plans to impose new sanctions on Tehran’s missile and drone program, expecting allied nations to follow suit. Tajani suggested these sanctions might target specific individuals. Although the Iranian attacks on Saturday were largely intercepted by Israel and its allies, causing no fatalities, Israel asserts the need to retaliate to maintain its deterrent capability. Iran, while indicating the matter is currently resolved, warns of further retaliation if provoked.
Ukraine's situation, particularly Russia's invasion, will feature prominently in discussions. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg are slated to participate in talks addressing the conflict. Germany has highlighted the need to bolster Ukraine's air defenses amidst ongoing Russian airstrikes on its energy infrastructure.
The G7 will also explore strategies for leveraging the considerable assets of Russia held in Western nations to assist Ukraine, though legal concerns among European Union members present a challenge.
The summit's agenda includes sessions on Gaza, Iran, the Red Sea situation, and strengthening ties with Africa. Additionally, the ministers will address stability in the Indo-Pacific region and engage in discussions on infrastructure connectivity, cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, and combatting misinformation.
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