G7 leaders: ‘Iran can never have a nuclear weapon’

KANANASKIS, Alberta — The leaders of the G7 countries on Monday issued a joint statement saying Iran should not have nuclear weapons and affirming Israel’s right to defend itself.

“Iran is the principal source of regional instability and terror. We have been consistently clear that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon,” declared the statement, issued by the leaders of the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Italy, Canada and Japan, along with the EU.

They pledged to “remain vigilant to the implications for international energy markets and stand ready to coordinate, including with like-minded partners, to safeguard market stability.”

The statement came as U.S. President Donald Trump left the G7 meeting in Kananaskis, Canada, saying he needed to focus on the spiraling crisis in the Middle East, where Israel and Iran have exchanged fire for days.

Before leaving Canada, Trump said in a cryptic social media post that “Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!”