Top diplomats from the Group of Seven countries met in Vaux-de-Cernay, France, on Friday and moved to align on a near-term message for the Iran war: an immediate cessation of attacks targeting civilians and infrastructure, and renewed focus on restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz for international shipping.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio joined his G7 counterparts at the meeting, a day after President Donald Trump’s latest round of sharp criticism at NATO allies increased the difficulty for Rubio to sell the U.S. approach to allies who have shown skepticism about Washington’s strategy for the conflict.
Rubio, while describing the U.S. aim to seek international cooperation on a plan to keep the strait open after hostilities end, also underscored the risk he associated with attempts to control passage. He cautioned that Iran could try to impose a toll on the waterway—where the AP reported that 20% of the world’s oil typically passes—and he said such an action could cause significant economic damage to nations that rely on the route. Speaking to reporters, Rubio said the possibility was “illegal” and “unacceptable” and added, “It’s dangerous to the world,” describing as well the importance of having “a plan.”
Several European ministers used the meeting to emphasize that their approach differs from the U.S. on how the conflict has been carried out. Catherine Vautrin, France’s minister of the armed forces, said that “the war ‘is not ours’” and that France’s position is strictly defensive, describing the aim as advancing a diplomatic approach she said can guarantee a return to peace.
In London’s view, Yvette Cooper, Britain’s foreign secretary, said the country favors a diplomatic path while acknowledging a difference with the United States on the mix of military actions. Cooper said the U.K. had taken a defensive posture but “a different approach on the offensive action that has taken place as part of this conflict,” speaking after the meeting.
Germany also framed its role around postwar shipping security. Johann Wadephul, Germany’s foreign minister, said he made “our position clear,” including that Germany is ready to play a role after hostilities end to help ensure the security of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. He also said his interest was “to broaden what we have as a common basis” regarding the conflict in the Middle East.
After the meeting, Jean-Noël Barrot, France’s foreign minister, said the G7 adopted a declaration calling for the “immediate cessation” of attacks on civilian populations and infrastructure during the Iran war. Barrot said the declaration also “reaffirms the absolute necessity of permanently restoring free and safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz,” and he said nothing justifies deliberately targeting civilians in armed conflicts or attacking diplomatic facilities.
Barrot said that, once U.S. military objectives are achieved, escort missions could provide security so that ship traffic resumes as quickly as possible. He also said the situation has been worsening because of the lack of ship traffic from the Persian Gulf to the rest of the world. He added that Rubio, like others at the discussions, supported the concept of restoring maritime security and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz “as in all international waters around the world.”
Rubio also suggested the U.S. could achieve its objectives without ground troops, as he sought to reassure allies about the trajectory of the conflict. Trump has previously threatened to “obliterate” Iran’s power plants if the strait is not reopened within a 48-hour window, an approach Rubio discussed indirectly through the broader push toward a postwar cooperative plan.
The G7 meeting also touched on Russia’s war in Ukraine, with the Iran conflict and the possibility of U.S. focus shifting a concern for European allies. Wadephul said he made clear that “there must be no cuts when it comes to maintaining Ukraine’s defense capability.” Rubio told reporters that while no U.S. weapons have been pulled from Ukraine-related sales bound for the European country to send them to the Middle East, that could happen if it is deemed necessary.
Petrequin reported from Paris. Associated Press writers Lorne Cook in Brussels, John Leicester in Paris and Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed to this report.