Top diplomats from the Group of Seven countries showed divisions with the United States over the Iran war but agreed Friday during a meeting in France to call for an immediate halt to attacks against civilians and urge the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio joined his G7 counterparts a day after President Donald Trump lobbed his latest round of insults at other NATO countries, making it even more difficult for America’s top diplomat to try to sell the U.S. strategy for the Iran conflict to close allies. Trump has repeatedly complained that allies have ignored or rejected requests for help confronting Tehran’s retaliation, including its chokehold on the waterway that has disrupted oil shipments and pushed up energy prices.
Rubio struck a softer tone, saying the U.S. would seek international cooperation on a plan to keep the strait open after hostilities end. Trump, as part of an evolving rhetorical approach, warned as recently as last week that the U.S. would “obliterate” Iran’s power plants if the waterway were not reopened within 48 hours, though he has extended that deadline until April 6. Rubio emerged from discussions with fellow diplomats with a longer-term message about the conclusion of the war, when he said the U.S. and allies will face a challenge in keeping the strait open.
Image: Los Angeles Times
