WASHINGTON: Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven nations said on Monday they supported the ceasefire between Israel and Iran and called for negotiations to resume for a deal to address Tehran`s nuclear programme, according to a joint statement.

Since April, Iran and the US have held talks aimed at finding a new diplomatic solution regarding Iran`s nuclear programme. Tehran says its programme is peaceful, but Israel and its allies say they want to ensure Iran cannot build a nuclear weapon.

`We call for the resumption of negotiations, resulting in a comprehensive, verifiable and durable agreement that addresses Iran`s nuclear programme,` the G7 foreign ministers said.

Last week, Trump announced a ceasefire between Israel and Iran to halt a war that began on June 13when Israel attacked Iran. The conflict had raised alarms in a region already on edge since the start of Israel`s assault on Gaza in Oct 2023.

Before the ceasefire was announced, Washington struck Iran`s nuclear sites and Iran targeted a US base in Qatar in retaliation.

The G7 foreign ministers said they urged `all parties to avoid actions that could further destabilise the region.` Washington`s Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff has said talks between US and Iran were `promising` and that Washington was hopeful for a long-term peace deal.

The G7 top diplomats denounced threats against the head of the UN nuclear watchdog on Monday, after a hardline Iranian newspaper said IAEA boss Rafael Grossi should be tried and executed as an Israeli agent.-AFP