G7 Leaders Seek Unified Front on Iran, Eyeing Trump’s Next Move

As the G7 summit commences, European leaders are actively seeking to establish a unified approach to the escalating Israel-Iran conflict, with a keen eye on the US President’s next steps. The immediate objective is to gain clarity on his “peace soon” assertions and whether he intends to push for a ceasefire amidst worsening hostilities.
The unexpected dominance of the Middle East crisis on the G7 agenda underscores the international community’s profound concern over its potential to destabilize the global economy. While a collective call for de-escalation is anticipated, differences in national perspectives on supporting Israel’s actions could complicate a truly unified front.
The recent cancellation of US-Iran nuclear talks, originally scheduled for last Sunday, highlights the immediate diplomatic fallout of the renewed hostilities. A significant obstacle to any future negotiations remains the US’s insistence that Iran forgo domestic uranium enrichment, a demand that has consistently stalled progress.
Despite efforts by the summit host to shift focus to other topics like critical minerals and artificial intelligence to avoid public disagreements, the Israel-Iran situation remains paramount. European leaders, drawing lessons from past attempts to influence US policy in Ukraine, are searching for a coherent de-escalation plan beyond simply weakening Iran, finding current US messages contradictory.