The G7 in Canada: A Summit Marked by the Israel–Iran Conflict

KANANASKIS (Alberta), Monday, June 16, 2025 –

The G7 summit, hosted by Canada in the Alberta Rockies, opened this Monday morning in a climate of diplomatic urgency, dominated by the military escalation between Israel and Iran. Cross-border attacks between the two countries diverted attention from the discussions initially planned on trade, energy, and the Ukrainian crisis, according to several major media outlets.

While the 7 industrialized powers had planned to discuss, among other things, Donald Trump's tariff war against his trade partners, the first hours of discussions were largely dominated by the conflict between Israel and Iran.

According to the AP, Donald Trump warned Iran, stating that its leaders must now « make a deal » while Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney affirmed that the world « looks to this table [editor's note: G7] for solutions ».

Later on Monday evening, we learned that Donald Trump left the G7 summit before the second day of discussions to return to Washington. Karolina Leavitt, White House spokesperson, made the announcement on X.

« President Trump had a great day at the G7, even signing a major trade deal with the United Kingdom and Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Much progress has been made, but given the situation in the Middle East, President Trump will leave the country tonight after a dinner with the heads of state ».

Shortly before announcing his departure, Donald Trump issued a warning to residents of Iran's capital. « Everyone should evacuate Tehran immediately ».

« Iran should have signed the 'deal' I told them to sign. What a shame and what a loss of human life. Simply put, Iran cannot have nuclear weapons » he added on his social network Truth.

Trump's premature departure from the G7 summit halted bilateral talks that were scheduled to take place with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who arrived in Calgary in the evening, and with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is expected this Tuesday.

Recalling that in 2018, Donald Trump also left the G7 summit organized in Canada prematurely, he had brutally disavowed the joint statement, while calling former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau « very dishonest » and « weak ». This year, the reasons given are more understandable and justifiable.

Josué Sénat