KANANASKIS, Canada, June 17, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - G7 leaders attending a summit in Canada on Monday issued a joint statement calling for "de-escalation" on Iran, while stressing Israel had the right to defend itself in the escalating Middle East crisis.

"We affirm that Israel has a right to defend itself," the statement said. "We have been consistently clear that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.

"We urge that the resolution of the Iranian crisis leads to a broader de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, including a ceasefire in Gaza."