The G20 has been taking place in Rome, with Italy's Prime Minister Mario Draghi opening the conference with a message of collective action. 

"From the pandemic to climate change, to fair and equitable taxation, going it alone is simply not an option," the G20 host told the assembled group of leaders of the world's biggest economies.

Along with the pandemic, economic recovery, and climate change before the COP26 meeting in Glasgow, Iran's nuclear ambitions were the focus of some debate. 

The leaders of France, Germany, the UK, and U.S. met to express "grave and growing concern" over what was described as "Iran's escalating nuclear program."

President Macron, acting Chancellor Merkel, Prime Minister Johnson and President Biden released a joint statement after their meeting, which focused on how negotiations to re-start the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on Iran's nuclear ambitions. 

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According to the statement, Iran has "accelerated the pace of provocative nuclear steps, such as the production of highly enriched uranium," since it ended meetings with the other signatories to the 2015 deal this summer. 

But the statement was not negative, and suggested a return to "full compliance" with the deal was possible. 

"We are convinced that it remains possible to quickly reach and implement an understanding on return to full compliance… [which] will provide sanctions lifting with long-lasting implications for Iran's economic growth," it read. 

"We call upon President Raisi to seize this opportunity and return to a good faith effort to conclude our negotiations as a matter of urgency."

The statement added the nations would work alongside China, Russia and the European Union to pursue a return to the negotiating table.