US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has joined a meeting of G7 foreign ministers in France for talks in which the US-Israeli war with Iran is the main focus.
Rubio is expected to face pressure to de-escalate the conflict as concerns continue to grow over its impact on the world economy.
The other G7 countries – the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan – are wary of being drawn in militarily. The group is also discussing the war in Ukraine.
As he headed to France, Rubio said it was in the interest of G7 nations to step up and help restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway that Iran has effectively blockaded, causing fuel prices to soar.
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.
About 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas typically passes through the strait. Its closure has seen the price of oil skyrocket and has raised concerns that a prolonged blockage could raise energy prices.
Hours before Rubio headed to France, US President Donald Trump again criticized NATO and said allies have done absolutely nothing to help with the situation.
The G7 has previously stated they are ready to take necessary measures to support global energy supply and resolve the conflict quickly.
UK Defence Secretary John Healey noted that before the conflict, Russia had been aiding Iran with military intelligence and training.
As the situation develops, the G7 ministers are considering joint actions to stabilize the region and mitigate the wider economic fallout.
