G7 leaders reaffirm 'support for the security of Israel,' call for de-escalation in Middle East

At the G7 Summit in Canada, world leaders issued a joint statement expressing strong support for Israel's right to defend itself in the face of continued attacks from Iran. 

The communique emphasized the importance of preventing regional escalation and called on Tehran to cease all hostile actions, including missile and drone attacks targeting Israeli territory. 

The leaders also reiterated their commitment to Israel's security and the stability of the broader Middle East.

However, the summit took a dramatic turn when U.S. President Donald Trump left earlier than scheduled, prompting speculation and political commentary. French President Emmanuel Macron suggested that Trump had returned to Washington to push for a ceasefire between Israel and Iran. Trump swiftly rejected that claim both online and in remarks to reporters, accusing Macron of getting it wrong.

“I didn’t say I was looking for a ceasefire,” Trump said. “That was Emmanuel—nice guy, but he doesn’t get it right too often.” Trump clarified that he was seeking “an end, a real end, not a ceasefire,” later describing his goal as a “complete give-up” by Iran.

Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio left the summit Monday night, citing urgent matters in Washington. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president needed to return for high-level national security consultations. Trump confirmed he would be in the Situation Room early Tuesday morning.

When asked why the return couldn’t wait, Trump said: “Just to be a little bit, I think, more well-versed — not having to use telephones so much because I don’t believe in telephones. People like you listen to them.”

The president also issued a warning to Iran: “If they touch our troops, we’ll come down so hard — it’ll be gloves off.” He said he was considering dispatching Vice President J.D. Vance and businessman Steve Witkoff to engage with Iranian officials but was “not too much in the mood to negotiate” at the moment.

Though he had not yet read the final G7 statement on the Middle East, Trump said he had authorized his team “to say certain things,” adding, “I don’t know whether or not they said them correctly, but I think they probably did.”

Meanwhile, the U.S. has moved the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz toward the region, and aerial refueling planes are being deployed to Europe in a show of force as tensions remain high.