G7 Foreign Ministers Urge Iran to Halt Destabilizing Actions in the Region

On Tuesday, October 3, the foreign ministers of the seven industrialized nations known as the G7 issued a joint statement following their meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. In their statement, they called on the Islamic Republic to cease its destabilizing actions in the region and take steps to help reduce tensions. The G7 foreign ministers emphasized their readiness to impose further sanctions or other measures in response to any additional destabilizing actions by the Islamic Republic. The statement reaffirmed the G7 countries' determination to prevent the production or acquisition of nuclear weapons by the Islamic Republic. It added that G7 members would continue to work together and with other international partners to address the escalation of nuclear tensions from the Islamic Republic. The statement reminded that diplomacy is the 'best option' for resolving this issue. The G7 foreign ministers noted that since the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is still unable to verify the Islamic Republic's nuclear program, which it claims is 'exclusively peaceful,' they urge the Iranian leadership to halt and reverse nuclear activities that lack credible civilian justification. They further called on Tehran to fully implement the binding safeguards agreement in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2231 without further delay, while cooperating with the IAEA. The G7 foreign ministers strongly condemned the Islamic Republic's ballistic missile exports to Russia. They noted evidence that the Islamic Republic has continued to transfer weapons to Russia despite repeated international calls to stop. The G7 foreign ministers pointed out that this action represents an escalation of military support from the Islamic Republic for Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine. According to them, Russia has used Iranian weapons, such as drones, to kill Ukrainian civilians and strike critical infrastructure in the country. The G7 foreign ministers stressed that the Islamic Republic must 'immediately' end all its support for Russia's illegal and unjustifiable war against Ukraine and halt the transfer of ballistic missiles, drones, and related technologies, which pose a direct threat to the people of Ukraine and the security of Europe and the world. They also reaffirmed their steadfast commitment to hold the Islamic Republic accountable for its unacceptable support of Russia's illegal war in Ukraine, which further undermines global security. The G7 foreign ministers reiterated their deep concern about human rights violations in Iran, particularly against women and minorities. They once again reminded the Islamic Republic of their request to allow access to the country for holders of mandates related to the special procedures of the UN Human Rights Council. The foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the US, and the representative of the European Union emphasized their commitment to uphold the rule of law, humanitarian principles, and international law, including the UN Charter, and to support human rights and human dignity worldwide. They also stressed their determination to strengthen collective action to maintain peace and stability to address global challenges such as the climate crisis and to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its goals. In this statement, G7 members renewed their commitment to promote free societies and democratic principles, where all individuals can freely enjoy their rights and freedoms.