BANFF, Canada – The Group of Seven leaders have condemned Iran in what has become a rare joint statement after President Donald Trump departed the 2025 annual summit early to address the crisis unfolding between Israel and Iran in the Middle East.
“We, the leaders of the G7, reiterate our commitment to peace and stability in the Middle East,” the G7 leaders wrote late Monday. “In this context, we affirm that Israel has a right to defend itself. We reiterate our support for the security of Israel. We also affirm the importance of the protection of civilians.”
The leaders specifically criticize Iran as “the principal source of regional instability and terror,” adding they have been “consistently clear that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.”
“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,” they wrote. “We will remain vigilant to the implications for international energy markets and stand ready to coordinate, including with like-minded partners, to safeguard market stability.”
Earlier Monday, the White House appeared to confirm reports Trump was considering not signing onto the G7 leader’s Iran-Israel statement.
“Under the strong leadership of President Trump, the United States is back to leading the effort to restore peace around the world,” a White House official told the Washington Examiner. “President Trump will continue to work towards ensuring Iran cannot obtain a nuclear weapon.”
This year’s G7 host, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, had previewed prior to this week’s summit that there would be no leaders joint communique to conclude the meeting because of deep disagreements between Trump and the rest of the group on issues from the Russia-Ukraine war to tariffs. Instead, separate statements will continue to be issued underscoring areas of agreement, though Trump is not expected to sign onto the G7 sanctions package against Russia.
The late-night statement on Iran caps a dramatic day in the Canadian city of Kananaskis, where the summit is poised to continue without Trump on Tuesday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is not even scheduled to arrive in Canada until Tuesday morning. Trump’s early departure upends plans for him to meet with Zelensky and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, in addition to holding a press conference.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt surprised reporters on Monday when she announced that Trump was returning to Washington early to “attend to many important matters.”
Leavitt then issued a clarifying statement, citing the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and progress Trump made during day one of the two-day summit.
“President Trump had a great day at the G7, even signing a major trade deal with the United Kingdom and Prime Minister Keir Starmer,” she wrote. “Much was accomplished, but because of what’s going on in the Middle East, President Trump will be leaving tonight after dinner with Heads of State.”
Trump had posted his own cryptic statement on social media earlier in the day, advising the approximately 9.5 million residents of Iran’s capital Tehran to evacuate.
“Iran should have signed the ‘deal’ I told them to sign,” he wrote. “What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!”
En route back to his own capital, where he has reportedly asked his National Security Council to be ready for him, Trump posted a sharp critique of French President Emmanuel Macron too. Macron had indirectly undermined Trump before the G7 summit by stopping in Greenland, which Trump has promised to annex, and expressing his support before traveling onto Canada.
“Publicity seeking President Emmanuel Macron, of France, mistakenly said that I left the G7 Summit, in Canada, to go back to D.C. to work on a ‘cease fire’ between Israel and Iran,” Trump wrote. “Wrong! He has no idea why I am now on my way to Washington, but it certainly has nothing to do with a Cease Fire. Much bigger than that. Whether purposely or not, Emmanuel always gets it wrong. Stay Tuned!”
