Iranian officials have fiercely criticised a joint statement by the G7 nations that condemned Tehran’s role in Middle Eastern instability and offered support for Israel’s right to respond militarily.
The rebuke comes amid intensifying clashes between Israel and Iran, following a series of Israeli airstrikes on Iranian territory that reportedly began last Friday.
The G7 declaration, delivered during a summit in Canada, labelled Iran as “the principal source of regional instability and terror” and backed Israel’s military response as legitimate self-defence.
Responding to the G7’s stance, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei accused the Western bloc of turning a blind eye to what he called “unprovoked Israeli aggression.” He said that airstrikes had targeted nuclear facilities, residential districts, and led to the deaths of Iranian civilians, including key scientists and military leaders.
“Such attacks violate international law, including Article 2(4) of the UN Charter,” Baghaei said, calling for international condemnation of Israel’s actions rather than endorsement.
In a swift counteroffensive, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reportedly fired missiles at Israeli military positions, heightening fears that the skirmish could spiral into a broader regional war.
The current exchange marks one of the most direct confrontations between the two rivals in years, prompting concern among global observers that a full-scale conflict could destabilise the already volatile Middle East.
Diplomatic efforts for de-escalation remain limited, as both parties appear entrenched in their military and political positions.
