G7 warns of new sanctions on Iran for drone attack, urges de-escalation

Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who chaired the meeting of ministers of industrialised countries, said the agenda of the three-day meeting was changed on Friday to address the latest developments.

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

Tajani didn't immediately address the incident, but said that G7 ministers condemned Iran's weekend attack on Israel and urged both sides to exercise restraint.

The political objective is de-escalation, Tajani said in a closing press conference.

The United States told the Group of Seven foreign ministers on Friday that it received last minute information from Israel about a drone action in Iran, Italy's foreign minister said.

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

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.

In a communique following the three-day meeting, the ministers urged the parties to prevent further escalation.


Paris police arrest man in Iran consulate 

French police on Friday arrested a man who had threatened to blow himself up at Iran's consulate in Paris. A police source had told Reuters the man was seen entering the consulate, carrying what appeared to be a grenade and explosive vest. Police cordoned off the area. The man later left the consulate and on being searched was found not to be carrying any explosives, a police source said. Le Parisien newspaper said on its website that, according to several witnesses, the man had dragged flags on the floor of the consulate and said he wanted to avenge the death of his brother. It was unclear whether the incident had any link to current tensions between Iran and Israel.

(With inputs from Reuters)