G7 leaders released a joint statement late Monday calling for a “de-escalation” of hostilities in the Middle East as the conflict between Israel and Iran heats up and U.S. President Donald Trump leaves the Kananaskis, Alta., summit early to deal with the war.
The statement, agreed upon by all leaders including Trump, affirms Israel’s right to defend itself and recognizes Iran as “the principal source of regional instability and terror” but also calls for some sort of “resolution.”
“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,” the leaders said in their statement, which was released after a working dinner at the summit.
“We will remain vigilant to the implications for international energy markets and stand ready to coordinate, including with like-minded partners, to safeguard market stability.”
There was talk earlier in the day about some sort of joint statement on the Israel-Iran crisis but U.S. media reports suggested Trump had balked at signing.
A senior Canadian government official, speaking to reporters on background, said Carney got Trump to sign on.
Trump said earlier Monday he’s leaving because he’s needed back in Washington to address what’s going on in the Middle East. Israel is ramping up its attacks as part of a push to destroy Iran’s nuclear program and wipe out the senior the officials who lead it.
Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, announced the news in a social media post, and Trump addressed it during the family photo of G7 leaders later in the evening.
“We’ll have dinner with these wonderful leaders, and then I get on a plane. I have to be back early,” he said.
“But we had just a really great relationship with everybody. It was really nice. I wish I could stay for tomorrow but they understand … this is big stuff.”
Leavitt said Trump “had a great day at the G7” — he signed a trade pact with the United Kingdom and agreed to try and reach one with Canada within 30 days.
Trump said he “loved” his time at the summit and the leaders “got a lot done.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney said he understands the president’s decision to leave early.
“I’m very grateful for the president’s presence and I fully understand why he must return,” he said.
A Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson said Canada was made aware of Trump’s schedule change “through official channels” before it was publicly announced.
Trump’s departure means he will miss the second day of the G7 program, including the visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Trump was set to meet with Zelenskyy and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum for bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit.
Earlier Monday, during his bilateral meeting with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump hinted that he might have to leave early when he was asked about bringing Iran to the table.
“I think Iran basically is at the negotiating table. They want to make a deal,” he said. “And as soon as I leave here, we’re going to be doing something. But I have to leave here. I have … this commitment. I have a lot of commitments.”
Trump arrived in Calgary Sunday evening and took part in the G7 leaders’ discussions Monday on the economy and some security matters.
He met with Carney for a bilateral meeting Monday morning and had private pull-asides with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Trump left the last G7 meeting Canada hosted in 2018 early to travel to Singapore for a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
