Italian minister at G7 says Israel informed US at last minute about drone attack on Iran

Capri, Italy –

The United States informed Group of Seven foreign ministers on Friday that it had received “breaking” information from Israel about drone action in Iran, but it did not take part in the apparent attack, officials said.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who chaired a three-day summit of ministers from the most industrialized countries, said the United States shared the information during a morning working session, whose agenda was to address the alleged stroke last fall. Was amended in minutes.

Earlier on Friday, Iran activated its air defenses at a major airport and nuclear facility near the central city of Isfahan after sighting drones that appeared to be part of an Israeli attack in response to Tehran’s unprecedented attack with drones and missiles last weekend. Had done.

According to Tajani, the United States told G7 ministers that it was “informed at the last minute” by Israel about the operation. “But there was no involvement in the attack by the United States. “It was just information,” he said.

On his part, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken declined to react to the claims, but indicated that Washington was not involved in any attack and was committed to working towards “de-escalating tensions” in the region.

He said, “I’m not going to talk about it, except to say that the United States has not participated in any offensive operations.”

Asked to describe the current relationship between the United States and Israel, Blinken said Israel makes its own decisions and the United States is committed to its security.

“We are committed to helping Israel defend itself and to participating in its defense as needed,” Blinken said, referring to actions by the United States and allies to help Israel repel an Iranian drone attack. Missiles were held over the weekend.

“I repeat, Israel makes its own decisions, but we are committed to defending it,” Blinken stressed.

Tajani said all G7 members had shared information about what happened in Iran on Friday. He said he had spoken by phone to the Italian embassies in Tel Aviv and Tehran and confirmed that all Italians living in Isfahan were safe.

“There were no deaths or injuries,” Tajani said. “A group of Italian people live in the city where the drones arrived and none of them have any problems. “They say life has returned to normal and Iranian airspace has reopened.”

He said, “Looks like the weather is better today than last night.”

In a statement issued after the three-day meeting, ministers from the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States urged the parties to “refrain from further escalation.”

In its statement, the group assured support for Israel’s security and condemned “in the strongest terms” what it described as an “unprecedented attack (by Iran)” against Israel on April 13 and 14, which Israel Defeated with the help of his associates. In addition to the capture of the Portuguese flagged MSC Aries cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz.

“We stand ready to adopt new sanctions or take other measures in response to destabilizing initiatives now and in the future,” the note said.

The group also warned Iran against sending ballistic missiles and related technology to Russia.

Regarding the war in Gaza, the group called on Hamas to release hostages and reminded Israel to respect international and humanitarian law.

Furthermore, the statement said the G7 “opposes the large-scale military operation in Rafah that will have devastating consequences for the civilian population” and demanded that aid entering the besieged area be increased.

“The G7 has worked and will work to reduce tensions,” Tajani said at the final press conference. He said this would include a reduction in tensions, followed by a ceasefire, the release of hostages and aid to the Palestinian people.