(UnitedHeadlines.com) – On April 14, President Joe Biden and G7 leaders met for an emergency session as the leaders of the Group of Seven countries attempted to prevent the Iranian and Israeli conflict from escalating into a wider regional conflict.
The meeting comes after Iran’s April 13 attack that launched 170 drones, 120 ballistic missiles, and 30 cruise missiles at Israel. According to Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Daniel Hagari, the “vast majority” of the drones and missiles were intercepted with the help of the United States and Israel’s other allies. Iran launched the attack in response to Israel’s April 1 airstrike on the Iranian embassy in Damascus, Syria, that killed Iranian Gen. Mohammad Reza Zahedi.
Though the U.S. helped intercept the drones and missiles, Biden reportedly told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the United States would not take part “in any offensive action against Iran.”
On Twitter, the White House said that Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken met via video conference with the G7 leaders from the countries of Britain, Japan, Italy, Germany, France, and Canada, who all “unequivocally” condemned Iran’s attack “in the strongest terms” and reaffirmed that they were committed to Israel’s security.
A joint statement issued after the meeting said Iran’s actions “further stepped toward the destabilization of the region” that could lead to “an uncontrollable regional escalation.” The leaders said the G7 countries are “ready to take further measures” to prevent “further destabilizing initiatives.”
According to the White House, Biden also spoke about the attack with Jordanian King Abdullah II, who said retaliation by Israel would cause the conflict in the region to escalate.
Blinken also discussed coordinating a diplomatic response with foreign ministers from Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, underscoring the need to not escalate the conflict.
The Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi also issued a statement warning Israel and its allies that any “reckless behavior” would be met with “a much stronger response.”
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