G7 vows to ensure Iran nuclear programme ‘remains peaceful’

G7 leaders vowed on Saturday to ensure that Iran's nuclear programme "remains peaceful" in a joint statement between the US and European allies after President Donald Trump pulled out from an internationally-agreed accord.

"We are committed to permanently ensuring that Iran's nuclear programme remains peaceful, in line with its international obligations and commitments to never seek, develop or acquire a nuclear weapon," the leaders said at the end of a two-day summit in Canada.

"We condemn all financial support of terrorism including terrorist groups sponsored by Iran. We also call upon Iran to play a constructive role by contributing to efforts to counter terrorism and achieve political solutions, reconciliation and peace in the region," the statement added.

But the US did not put back the joint statement from the G7 group - which includes European heavyweights such as Germany, France and the UK who were all signatories to the 2015 nuclear accord with Iran.

"Based on Justin's [Trudeau] false statements at his news conference, and the fact that Canada is charging massive Tariffs to our US farmers, workers and companies, I have instructed our US Reps not to endorse the Communique," Trump said in Tweet. 

The G7 eight-page statement included demands for Russia to stop undermining Western democracies.

The global leaders demanded that Russia stop what they described as attempts to undermine democracy as they closed the door on Moscow's readmission to the club.

After rebuffing a call by US President Donald Trump for Russia to be allowed back into the organisation's ranks, the G7 also endorsed UK's accusation that Moscow was behind a recent poisoning attack in the southwest of England on one of its own former spies.

"We urge Russia to cease its destabilising behavior, to undermine democratic systems and its support of the Syrian regime," said a joint statement issued at the end of a summit in Canada.

"We condemn the attack using a military grade nerve agent in Salisbury, United Kingdom. We share and agree with the United Kingdom's assessment that it is highly likely that the Russian Federation was responsible for the attack, and that there is no plausible alternative explanation."

The statement made no mention of Russia being invited back into the group from which it was kicked out of in response to its 2014 annexation of Crimea despite Trump's insistence that the club would be better off if brought Russia back into the fold.

However, the leaders did say they would continue "to engage with Russia on addressing regional crises and global challenges, where it is in our interests."