G7 Foreign Ministers Convene on Iran and Ukraine Crises

Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations gathered Thursday at the Vaux-de-Cernay Abbey, a historic site southwest of Paris, to address escalating global crises, including the ongoing U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The two-day meeting, hosted by France during its rotating G7 presidency, also encompasses discussions on Gaza, maritime security and broader geopolitical tensions, as allies seek to bridge differences with the United States.

The gathering occurs amid heightened strains in the Middle East, where the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28. President Donald Trump has warned of severe consequences if Tehran rejects a proposed deal to end the conflict, stating the White House is prepared to "unleash hell." U.S. officials claim ongoing talks with a senior figure in Iran's clerical leadership, though Iranian state media reported Wednesday that Tehran rejected a peace proposal relayed through Pakistan. The Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping route, remains effectively closed by Iran, disrupting about one-fifth of global oil supplies and driving Brent crude prices above $100...