On May 20, the G7 countries criticized Iran for nuclear advances, human rights violations, weapons proliferation, and disrupting international shipping. “We remain deeply concerned about Iran’s unabated escalation of its nuclear program, which has no credible civilian justification and brings it dangerously close to actual weapon-related activities,” the leaders of the world’s most advanced economies warned in a joint communique after meeting in Hiroshima, Japan. The G7 includes Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States.
Iran decried the G7 statement as “selective” and “vague.” Iran’s nuclear program “is solely aimed at peaceful purposes, and nuclear weapons have no place in our defense doctrine,” Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani said. He noted that some G7 members maintained nuclear weapons. Kanaani also denied that Iran had supplied Russia with drones for the Ukraine war. Tehran “continues to insist on a political solution to the crisis.” The following are the G7 communiqué excerpts on Iran.
G7 Hiroshima Leaders’ Communiqué
“We reiterate our clear determination that Iran must never develop a nuclear weapon. We remain deeply concerned about Iran’s unabated escalation of its nuclear program, which has no credible civilian justification and brings it dangerously close to actual weapon-related activities. A diplomatic solution remains the best way to resolve this issue. In that context, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action continues to provide a useful reference. We call on Iran to take prompt and concrete actions to fulfill its legal obligations and political commitments, including nuclear non-proliferation and safeguards obligations. We reiterate our profound concern over Iran’s systemic human rights violations and abuses, including its repression of popular feminist protest as well as the targeting of individuals, including women, girls, minority groups, and journalists, in and outside of Iran. We call on Iran’s leadership to end all unjust and arbitrary detentions.”
“We express our grave concern regarding Iran’s continued destabilizing activities, including the transfer of missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and related technologies to state and non-state actors and proxy groups, in breach of UNSCRs including 2231 and 2216. Iran must stop supporting Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. In particular, we call upon Iran to cease transferring armed UAVs, which have been used to attack Ukraine’s critical infrastructure and kill Ukrainian civilians. We welcome initiatives to improve bilateral relations and de-escalate tensions in the region, including Iran and Saudi Arabia’s recent agreement to restore ties. We emphasize the importance of ensuring maritime security in the Middle East’s waterways and call on Iran not to interfere with the lawful exercise of navigational rights and freedoms by all vessels.”