G7 leaders to discuss Iranian retaliatory strike on 'Israel': Italy
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Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also said that effort is being put into avoiding a "more serious military crisis."
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Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani arrives at a press conference on G7 at the Foreign Ministry in Rome, on Wednesday, January 17, 2024. (AP)
A video conference will be held later today by leaders from the G7 to discuss the Iranian retaliation on "Israel", Italy, the current holder of the rotating presidency of the group, said.
As Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the attack, stressing that she fears "destabilization of the region", the country's government said, "The Italian presidency of the G7 has summoned G7 leaders for a video conference early this afternoon."
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also announced "We are working to avoid a still more serious military crisis."
Speaking with broadcaster Rai3, he added, "The G7 will send messages to Israel -- the greatest prudence is necessary to ensure the situation does not get worse -- last night's Iranian retaliation can set off a dangerous spiral."
The G7 groups the United States, Japan, Germany, France, Britain, Italy and Canada.
Biden says will convene with G7 leaders
A senior White House official told Axios that US President Joe Biden told Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that his country opposes any Israeli response to the Iranian retaliatory strike.
The White House confirmed today that Biden spoke by telephone with Netanyahu following the unprecedented Iranian retaliation on "Israel" in response to the strike that targeted Iran's consulate in the Syrian capital Damascus on April 1.
Following the call, Biden said US forces have "helped Israel take down nearly all of the incoming drones and missiles." He also announced that he "will convene my fellow G7 leaders to coordinate a united diplomatic response to Iran’s brazen attack."
However, an American official informed CNN that Biden told Netanyahu that the United States would not participate in offensive operations against Iran.
![In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had "engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)](https://alpha-en-media.almayadeen.net/media/image/2024/12/21/b4a69f2e-8682-43e4-9d37-49482b304ab3/3.png?v=2&format=webp "In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had \"engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)")
