G-7 foreign ministers condemn Iran for Mercer Street attack

Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven economies said Iran was threatening international peace and security and that all available evidence showed it was behind an attack on the a merchant vessel off the Omani coast last week.

During a meeting in Tokyo, they condemned the “unlawful attack committed by Iran,” which killed a British and a Romanian national. They also confirmed their unified position in their commitment to maritime security and the protection of commercial shipping.

“This was a deliberate and targeted attack and a clear violation of international law. All available evidence clearly points to Iran. ​There is no justification for this attack,” the foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK and the US and the High Representative of the European Union said in a statement on Friday evening.

“Iran’s behavior, alongside its support to proxy forces and non-state armed actors, threatens international peace and security. We call on Iran to stop all activities inconsistent with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and call on all parties to play a constructive role in fostering regional stability and peace,” they said.

Meanwhile, Britain called on Iran to cease actitivies that go against UN Security Council resolutions.

“All available evidence clearly points to Iran. There is no justification for this attack,” the G7 chair Britain said in their statement.

“Iran’s behaviour, alongside its support to proxy forces and non-state armed actors, threatens international peace and security.

“We call on Iran to stop all activities inconsistent with relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and call on all parties to play a constructive role in fostering regional stability and peace.