Evian-les-Bains, France, Jun 15: U.S. President Donald Trump arrived for the Group of Seven (G7) summit on Monday after announcing an agreement that he said would bring an end to the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, though key details of the deal remain unclear.
Neither Washington nor Tehran has released the full text of the agreement, leaving questions over how Iran’s nuclear commitments will be verified, the future of its highly enriched uranium stockpile, and the extent of sanctions relief that could be offered to Tehran.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said the closure of the Strait of Hormuz would remain in place until the agreement is formally signed. The strategic waterway, through which roughly 20 percent of global crude oil supplies normally pass, has been at the centre of energy market disruptions during the conflict.
Celebrating the announcement, Trump wrote on social media: “Ships of the World, start your engines” and “Let the oil flow!”
Pakistan, which mediated the negotiations, said talks would continue in the coming weeks. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said “pre-implementation discussions” would pave the way for 60 days of technical negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme.
The Iran agreement is expected to dominate discussions at the three-day summit. Trump is also expected to discuss efforts to clear potential mines from the Strait of Hormuz, with Britain and France expressing willingness to assist.
French President Emmanuel Macron, the summit host, has invited Egypt, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to participate in a special session on the Middle East.
“The aim will be to assess the implications of this agreement, support for Lebanon, the long-term reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, of course, reaching a deal on Iran’s nuclear and ballistic programmes,” Macron said.
The deal has already drawn criticism in Washington. Democratic Senator Mark Warner questioned the absence of broad international backing, saying, “Now it is America going alone or going with Israel only, and that does not make us safer.”
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham also voiced concerns, stating, “I am somewhat concerned that Iran’s view of the agreement seems different than what the American negotiating team is claiming.”
Ahead of the summit, Trump held separate phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with the Russia-Ukraine war expected to be another major agenda item. Zelenskyy said the two leaders agreed to continue discussions during the summit.
Meanwhile, around 20,000 protesters gathered in Geneva ahead of the G7 meeting, criticizing member nations over war, climate policies, inequality and global governance.
The demonstration, organised by the No-G7 coalition of more than 60 activist groups, saw clashes between some protesters and police. Authorities used tear gas and water cannons after demonstrators threw bottles, stones and firecrackers. Several buildings, including offices linked to the United Nations and PricewaterhouseCoopers, were targeted.
“We are very afraid of the policy and the politics of Mr Trump and also of the other leaders of the G7,” coalition spokesperson Francoise Nyffeler said. “The planet is in danger, and we want to protest and say that the people of the world are against their policies.”
The summit opens amid uncertainty over the implementation of the Iran agreement, continuing concerns over the war in Ukraine, and growing questions about the influence and legitimacy of the G7 in an increasingly multipolar world.
