Iran's attack risks provoking 'uncontrollable regional escalation,' G7 countries warn
OTTAWA — Iran’s weekend assault on Israel marks an additional step towards destabilization of the Middle East and dangers frightening “an uncontrollable regional escalation,” leaders from Canada and the opposite G7 international locations stated Sunday after convening by video convention.
The leaders of the Group of Seven superior democracies unequivocally condemned Iran’s choice to focus on Israel with a whole lot of drones and missiles “in the strongest terms,” calling it a “direct and unprecedented attack.”
Israel, with the assistance of allies, largely managed to thwart the barrage, which triggered minimal injury.
“We express our full solidarity and support to Israel and its people and reaffirm our commitment towards its security,” stated the G7 leaders’ assertion, launched by the workplace of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
“We will continue to work to stabilize the situation and avoid further escalation. In this spirit, we demand that Iran and its proxies cease their attacks, and we stand ready to take further measures now and in response to further destabilizing initiatives.”
U.S. President Joe Biden earlier stated he would convene the assembly to co-ordinate a united diplomatic response to an assault he described as brazen.
Iran launched round 300 missiles and drones at targets inside Israel, however Israeli officers say the nation and its allies had been capable of intercept about 99 per cent of them. Iran has since declared the operation over.
Defence Minister Bill Blair stated Sunday on X, previously Twitter, that he was receiving common updates from the Canadian Forces “and will continue to monitor the situation closely.”
Canada’s political events had been united in condemning Iran after the in a single day offensive.
Trudeau stated Canada denounces the assault in a area already embroiled in a six-month-long warfare between Israel and Hamas.
“These attacks demonstrate yet again the Iranian regime’s disregard for peace and stability in the region,” Trudeau stated in an announcement launched shortly after the offensive bought underway. “We support Israel’s right to defend itself and its people from these attacks.”
Conflict between Israel and Iran heightened after an airstrike blamed on Israel destroyed Iran’s consulate in Syria and killed two Iranian generals. Tehran vowed revenge.
Israel closed its airspace Saturday in anticipation of Iran’s assaults and by early Sunday, booms and air-raid sirens sounded throughout the nation.
The Israeli navy’s spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, stated Iran fired scores of drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles — with the overwhelming majority intercepted outdoors Israel’s borders. He stated warplanes intercepted over 10 cruise missiles alone, additionally outdoors Israeli airspace.
In Washington, Biden stated U.S. forces helped Israel down “nearly all” the drones and missiles. U.Okay. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated Britain’s air pressure shot down numerous Iranian drones.
Israel and Iran have been on a collision course all through Israel’s warfare in opposition to Hamas militants in Gaza.
In the Oct. 7 assault that sparked the present battle, Iran-backed militants from Hamas and Islamic Jihad killed 1,200 folks in Israel and kidnapped 250 others. The subsequent Israeli offensive in Gaza has triggered widespread devastation and killed over 33,000 folks, in response to native well being officers.
In their assertion, the G7 leaders stated they’d strengthen co-operation to finish the disaster, together with via work towards “an immediate and sustainable ceasefire,” the discharge of hostages by Hamas and supply of elevated humanitarian help to Palestinians in want.
Ottawa has confronted strain in latest months to designate the IRGC — the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a department of Iran’s navy — as a terrorist group.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre urged Canada to work with allies to carry Iran accountable.
“The Government of Canada must immediately ban the Tehran-controlled terrorist group, IRGC, to protect our people and stop the regime from using our country to raise funds, plan and co-ordinate,” he stated in a written assertion launched Saturday.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh condemned the “serious escalation represented by Iran’s attack on Israel.”
“So many innocent people have been killed in the region — this is unacceptable,” Singh wrote on X. “Canada must do everything in its power to de-escalate the situation.”
International criticism of Iran’s assault was swift, with the United Nations secretary-general calling for “an immediate cessation of these hostilities.”
Israel’s ambassador to Canada thanked Trudeau and Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly for his or her phrases of help.
“Israel will continue to defend itself against hostile attacks from Iran and all of its proxies in the region. Iran is attempting to disrupt regional stability and we thank our allies for their support as these events unfold,” Iddo Moed stated in an announcement.
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed April 14, 2024.
— With recordsdata from Nicole Thompson in Toronto and The Associated Press
Jim Bronskill, The Canadian Press
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivers remarks on latest developments in Israel in Ottawa on Saturday, April 13, 2024. U.S. President Joe Biden stated he would convene the assembly of the Group of Seven superior democracies to co-ordinate a united diplomatic response to an assault he described as brazen. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby
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