US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has joined a meeting of G7 foreign ministers in France, where the US-Israeli war with Iran is expected to be the main focus, according to the BBC. The gathering, which includes representatives from the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan, will address the escalating conflict and its global ramifications, particularly the rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.

Strategic Concerns and Economic Pressures

Rubio is expected to face pressure from his counterparts to de-escalate the conflict as concerns continue to grow over its impact on the world economy. The G7 nations are wary of being drawn into a broader military confrontation, and the discussions will also touch on the ongoing war in Ukraine. The group has previously stated it is ready to take ‘necessary measures’ to support the global energy supply, which is under strain due to the ongoing conflict.

As he traveled to France, Rubio emphasized the importance of the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas typically passes. Iran has effectively blockaded the waterway, leading to a sharp rise in fuel prices and concerns over potential shortages. ‘I’m not there to make them happy,’ he told reporters. ‘For all the countries who care about international law, they should be doing something about it.’

UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper echoed similar sentiments, stating that a swift resolution to the conflict is essential to restore regional stability. ‘We need to see a swift resolution to this conflict that restores the regional stability, that needs to include the Strait of Hormuz,’ she told the media.

Ukraine and Iran: Interlinked Conflicts

The discussions about Iran may overlap with talks about Russia’s war in Ukraine. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha met with Rubio on the sidelines of the G7 meeting and said that America’s role in ‘advancing peace efforts remains critical.’ Sybiha also noted that the conflicts in the Middle East and Eastern Europe are interlinked, adding that ‘the regimes in Moscow and Tehran work together to prolong the war.’

The EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, attending the G7 meeting, echoed this sentiment, stating that the conflicts were ‘very much interlinked.’ She added that if the US wanted to stop the Iran war, it should ‘also put the pressure on Russia.’

UK Defence Secretary John Healey told the BBC that before the conflict, Russia had been sharing intelligence and providing training to Iran on types of drones and electronic warfare. ‘As far as Iran goes, they’re demonstrating a capacity to hit across the Middle East, we see the same tactics and technologies that we see employed by Russia in Ukraine, and this is the hidden hand of Putin in both conflicts,’ he said.

Internal Tensions and Leadership Challenges

Hours before Rubio headed to France, US President Donald Trump again criticized NATO, of which all G7 countries except Japan are members, and said allies in the military alliance had ‘done absolutely nothing to help with’ the situation. This internal tension may complicate the G7’s unified approach to the ongoing conflicts.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said the group should develop a ‘common position’ with the US to help bring the war to a swift end. He added that the talks with Rubio would be important, and that France and Britain share the same position. The G7 is under pressure to demonstrate a coordinated response to both the Iran conflict and the Ukraine war, which have both had significant economic and security implications for the global community.

The G7 ministers will also consider the long-term implications of their decisions, including the potential for increased energy costs, regional instability, and the risk of a broader international conflict. The group has been under increasing scrutiny to show leadership in addressing these complex and interlinked crises.

Rubio’s meeting with G7 counterparts highlights the growing need for international cooperation in de-escalating tensions and finding a path to peace. As the world watches, the outcome of these discussions could have far-reaching consequences for global stability and the international order.