The G7 summit opened Monday with Iran’s nuclear ambitions and regional tensions dominating discussions among leaders, according to diplomatic sources briefed on the agenda. U.S. President Joe Biden and European allies emphasized the need for a “comprehensive approach” to Iran’s nuclear program, while Russian and Chinese representatives called for dialogue over sanctions, according to a senior State Department official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy confirmed that the UK would raise concerns about Iran’s alleged nuclear weapons development during bilateral meetings, citing intelligence reports from the Joint Intelligence Committee. “The risk of miscalculation in the region remains high,” Lammy said in a statement, without specifying the nature of the intelligence.
French President Emmanuel Macron’s office released a brief summary of his planned remarks, stating he would advocate for “increased transparency” in Iran’s nuclear activities. The statement did not address potential military scenarios, despite recent Israeli airstrikes on Iranian facilities in Syria, which Iranian officials have blamed on the U.S.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesperson reiterated Moscow’s stance that “existing mechanisms for monitoring Iran’s nuclear program are sufficient,” a position that contrasts with Western calls for stricter oversight. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin declined to comment directly but reiterated Beijing’s support for “multilateral diplomacy” in the Middle East.
The summit’s opening day included a closed-door session on Middle East security, attended by U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. A senior EU official confirmed the meeting focused on “coordinating responses to regional escalations,” without elaborating on specific strategies.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei addressed the nation Monday, vowing to “protect national sovereignty” amid “external pressures,” according to state-run IRNA news. His speech did not mention the G7 summit but included veiled references to “hostile forces” seeking to destabilize the region.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is scheduled to meet with Gulf Cooperation Council representatives Tuesday to discuss regional security, according to a State Department calendar. The meeting comes after a classified Pentagon assessment reportedly found “increased Iranian military activity” near the Strait of Hormuz.
The G7 is set to issue a final communique Wednesday, though officials have not disclosed its contents. A senior German government advisor said the text would “reflect the group’s unity on non-proliferation goals” but stop short of endorsing specific sanctions measures.
