00:00The leaders of G7 nations have called for a de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East,
00:06including a ceasefire in Gaza.
00:08However, they did not call for a similar ceasefire between Israel and Iran,
00:13saying Tel Aviv had a right to defend itself and that Iran was a source of terror.
00:18They should not have a nuclear weapon.
00:21In a joint statement that was also signed by US President Donald Trump,
00:25the G7 leaders reiterated their support for the security of Israel.
00:30The statement also pointed to Iran as a principal source of regional instability.
00:35The ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel has heightened tensions across the region,
00:40already on edge since Israel launched its military offensive in Gaza in Oktober 2023.
00:47The two Middle Eastern rivals have exchanged multiple blows since Friday,
00:51with Iranian officials reporting over 220 deaths,
00:55mostly civilians, and Israel confirming 24 people were killed.
01:01Iran has insisted it is not seeking nuclear weapons,
01:04saying it had the right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
01:09Israel, meanwhile, is widely believed to be the only nuclear-armed country in the Middle East.
01:15Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump made an early departure from the G7 summit in Canada.
01:23His press secretary said it was due to unfolding events in the Middle East,
01:29although Trump denied it was related to a ceasefire.
01:32Earlier, Trump urged Iranians to immediately evacuate Tehran in a post on Truth Social,
01:38sparking speculation that US forces could join Israel's offensive.
01:42Despite American officials denying any direct involvement,
01:46US Defense Secretary Pete Hexiv announced the deployment of additional capabilities to the region
01:53to enhance the Pentagon's defensive posture.
01:56Reports also suggest Trump has instructed the White House National Security Council
02:01to convene immediately upon his return.
02:04Trump's early exit means he will miss in-person meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky
02:09and Mexican President Claudia Shinbom.
02:12Both scheduled for the summit's final day.
02:15This marks the second time Trump has left a G7 summit early,
02:19the last occurring in 2018 when he departed to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
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