At the G7 summit in Canada, European leaders are set to press the US President on his approach to the increasingly volatile Israel-Iran conflict. Amidst mounting military exchanges and casualties, the focus is on his assertion of “peace soon” and the potential for him to facilitate a ceasefire.
The Middle East crisis has surprisingly dominated the G7 agenda, pushing aside other critical global issues. This reflects the deep international concern over the conflict’s potential to destabilize the world economy. While a collective call for de-escalation is anticipated, differences in national perspectives on supporting Israel’s actions could complicate a truly unified response.
The cancellation of key US-Iran talks on Tehran’s civil nuclear program underscores the immediate diplomatic fallout of the renewed violence. The long-standing disagreement over Iran’s right to enrich uranium domestically remains a significant impediment to any future diplomatic progress.
Despite efforts by the summit host to shift focus to other global issues to avoid public discord, European leaders are determined to forge a common strategy on Iran. They are seeking a clear de-escalation roadmap from the US President, whose current messages are perceived as contradictory, rather than just broad calls for restraint.