US President Donald Trump has refused to sign a draft joint statement prepared by G7 leaders calling for a de-escalation of the conflict between Israel and Iran. The move has caused an early division between the United States and its allies at the annual summit being held in the Canadian Rockies. According to Reuters, the draft statement was led by European officials and says that while Israel has a right to defend itself, Iran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon. It also calls on both sides to protect civilians and restates the G7’s broader commitment to peace in the region. President Trump’s decision not to support the document was confirmed by a White House official, who told Reuters, “Under the strong leadership of President Trump, the United States is back to leading the effort to restore peace around the world. President Trump will continue to work towards ensuring Iran cannot obtain a nuclear weapon.” At the start of a bilateral meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Trump told reporters that Iran should begin talks immediately. “I’d say Iran is not winning this war, and they should talk, and they should talk immediately before it’s too late,” he said, in comments carried by the The Guardian. The joint statement had been expected to show unity among G7 members, but Trump’s refusal to endorse it has highlighted ongoing differences over how to handle rising tensions in the Middle East. The summit began Monday in Alberta, where leaders from Canada, the US, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the UK have gathered to discuss global issues, including the Israel-Iran conflict, trade tensions, and energy security.
