World Watches as G7 Foreign Ministers Meet in Paris Amid US‑Israel-Iran Conflict
World Watches as G7 Foreign Ministers Meet in Paris Amid US‑Israel-Iran Conflict
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Global attention turned to France on Friday as foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) convened in Paris to discuss the escalating conflict between the United States and Israel against Iran, with allies pressing for clarity on Washington’s objectives.
More details in the following report:
The meeting, held at a historic former abbey converted into a luxury hotel, comes amid growing international concern over the war that began on 28 February 2026. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio missed the first day of talks on Thursday, prompting German Foreign Minister Johann Wadhwul to urge him to brief allies on “US strategy and interests” in the conflict.
Although all G7 members maintain close ties with Washington, none have publicly endorsed the war, and tensions were evident. President Donald Trump has repeatedly referred to ongoing talks with Iran, but details remain unclear. On Thursday, Trump extended the deadline for potential strikes on Iranian energy facilities to 6 April 2026.
British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper called for a “rapid resolution” to the conflict, accusing Iran of holding the global economy hostage by disrupting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Rubio, before traveling to Paris, emphasized the G7’s role in reopening the vital waterway and noted progress via intermediary channels in communications with Tehran.
In a departure from protocol, no joint communiqué will be issued at the end of the meeting; a statement from France, which holds the G7 presidency this year, will replace it. The meeting also included foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, the European Union, and Ukraine, reflecting Paris’s efforts to broaden the forum’s scope ahead of the June 2026 G7 summit.
Tensions were further highlighted by South Africa’s claim that Washington pressured Paris to rescind its invitation to the summit, which French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot denied, clarifying that Kenya, not South Africa, received the African invitation.
