Saudi Gazette report

LONDON — Iran’s behavior, alongside its support to proxy forces and non-state armed actors, threatens international peace and security, foreign ministers of the Group of 20 have said in a joint statement.

In the statement issued by the United Kingdom, the current chair of G7, on behalf of the group, the ministers condemned the “unlawful” attack on the Mercer Street tanker off the coast of Oman on July 29 in which a British and a Romanian national were killed.

“We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union stand united in our commitment to maritime security and the protection of commercial shipping,” the statement read.

G7 foreign ministers also said that the attack was deliberate and targeted, and was in a clear violation of international law.

Accusing Iran of carrying out the attack, the ministers said: “All available evidence clearly points to Iran. There is no justification for this attack.”

“Vessels must be allowed to navigate freely in accordance with international law. We will continue to do our utmost to protect all shipping, upon which the global economy depends so that it is able to operate freely and without being threatened by irresponsible and violent acts,” they added.

In the statement, the G7 ministers called on Iran to stop all activities inconsistent with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and urged all parties to play a constructive role in fostering regional stability and peace.