Foreign ministers from the G7 will meet outside Paris on Thursday, as European allies sought to bridge division with the US over the Middle East conflict while prioritizing crises in Ukraine and Gaza.
The two-day meeting at the historic Vaux-de-Cernay Abbey follows President Donald Trump’s vow to “unleash hell” if Iran refuses a deal to end the US-Israeli offensive. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio joins counterparts from Canada, Germany, Italy, France, Japan, and the UK, though only on the second day. France, holding the G7 presidency, aims to tackle “major global imbalances fueling tensions,” French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot emphasized.
Lebanon’s Escalation Complicates Talks
With Iran-backed Hezbollah launching rockets into Israel, Barrot urged Israel to “refrain” from expanding operations into southern Lebanon. France expanded the guest list to include Brazil, India, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, and South Korea, broadening the G7’s diplomatic reach.
While all G7 nations align with Washington, none have endorsed the assault on Iran, frustrating Trump. German Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil condemned Trump’s “misguided policies” as detrimental to Germany’s economy. Meanwhile, Iranian state TV rejected a peace plan conveyed via Pakistan, despite Trump’s claims of ongoing talks with Tehran.
British Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper expressed concern that the Iran conflict diverts attention from Gaza and the occupied West Bank. Over four years into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Barrot reaffirmed “unwavering support for Ukraine’s resistance” and sustained pressure on Moscow.
