Capri, (Italy)  –  G7 foreign ministers Friday urged “all parties” to “work to prevent further escalation” in the Middle East, following reports that Israel had carried out revenge strikes on Iran.

“In light of reports of strikes on April 19th, we urge all parties to work to prevent further escalation. The G7 will continue to work to this end,” the Group of Seven industrialised nations said in a statement.

The ministers from Italy, the UK, US, France, Germany, Japan and Canada said they “demand that Iran and its affiliated groups cease their attacks”.

“We will hold the Iranian government accountable for its malicious and destabilising actions,” they said after a meeting in the Italian island of Capri.

The G7 said it was “ready to adopt further sanctions or take other measures, now and in response to further destabilizing initiatives”.