Paris: Leaders from the Group of Seven nations met in France on Friday amid rising tensions over the ongoing war involving the United States, Israel and Iran, but the meeting revealed growing divisions among Western allies.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio attended the talks to rally support for Washington’s approach to the conflict. However, several countries expressed concern over the direction of the war and called for renewed diplomatic efforts instead of further escalation.
The conflict, which began in late February, has quickly become a major international crisis. Airstrikes and counterattacks have intensified, raising fears that the situation could spread further across the Middle East.
European nations including France and United Kingdom urged restraint and stressed the need for dialogue. Officials from these countries said military action alone would not bring long term stability and warned of serious global consequences if the conflict continues.
Tensions were also visible over how the war began. Some allies are unhappy that the United States acted without full consultation. This has led to frustration within the alliance and raised questions about coordination on major security decisions.
At the same time, remarks by US President Donald Trump criticizing NATO partners for not doing enough have added to the strain. Diplomats said such comments have made it harder to maintain unity at a time when cooperation is crucial.
The crisis has also begun to affect the global economy. Iran’s move to disrupt shipping in the Strait of Hormuz has pushed oil prices higher and created uncertainty in international markets. More than 30 countries are now involved in talks to secure the vital route.
There are also growing concerns that other global powers could become involved. Western officials are watching closely for any signs of support for Iran from countries like Russia, which could further widen the conflict.
Despite the tensions, the United States has proposed a path toward peace, but there has been no agreement so far. Many leaders at the meeting said immediate efforts should focus on reducing violence and reopening channels for negotiation.
The gathering in France has made one thing clear. While the allies remain connected, their views on how to handle the Iran war are increasingly different, raising uncertainty about the future of the Western alliance.