Israel warned US about drone attack on Iran, Italian foreign minister tells G7

Mr Tajani chaired a meeting of his G7 counterparts (AP)

The United States told the G7 foreign ministers that it received “last-minute” information from Israel about a drone action in Iran, Italy’s foreign minister said.

Antonio Tajani, who chaired the meeting of ministers of industrialised countries on Capri, said the United States provided the information at a Friday morning session that was changed late on to address the suspected attack.

Mr Tajani said the US informed the G7 ministers that it had been “informed at the last minute” by Israel about the drones, “but there was no sharing of the attack by the US It was a mere information”.

Early on Friday, Iran fired air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site near the central city of Isfahan after spotting drones.

The official communiqués of the #G7 Ministers’ meeting on Foreign Affairs held in Capri are available on the #G7Italy website 👇https://t.co/SlSdI7D7Sx pic.twitter.com/zW4QdDnNqA

— G7 (@G7) April 19, 2024

They were suspected to be part of an Israeli attack in retaliation for Tehran’s unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country last weekend.

The foreign ministers condemned Iran’s recent attacks against Israel, writing that “the G7 supports the security of Israel”.

In a closing communique, the G7 ministers warned that they are prepared to impose new sanctions on Iran, and called for both sides to avoid escalating the conflict.

“The G7 worked and will work for a de-escalation,” Mr Tajani said in a closing press conference.

He said that would include a ceasefire, liberation of hostages, and aid to the Palestinian people.