Rubio says G7 offers no clear Hormuz support
The U.S. Secretary of State told reporters in Paris that allies have yet to commit forces to protect shipping lanes threatened by Iranian drones.
By Marina Weber ·
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that he received no response from his Group of Seven counterparts during two days of talks in Paris regarding the protection of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway has seen continued drone attacks on vessels, and Rubio said the United States will continue to defend the route while urging partners to join the effort.
When asked how the other G7 foreign ministers reacted to his appeal, Rubio told reporters, “I raised it. I didn’t get a response.” He characterized the diplomatic standoff as “kind of a Catch-22,” noting that some nations claim they are ready to provide forces only after the risk of conflict has disappeared.
Rubio argued that protecting global shipping serves the world’s interests because the United States does not rely on oil from that region. “These countries should step up. I think a couple are thinking about it,” he said. He emphasized that the U.S. has encouraged its partners to assist in defending tankers and other ships passing through the strait.
The lack of immediate commitment from allies follows statements from nations including France, which said fighting must cease before they can deploy minesweepers and other aid. This hesitation has created tension as the U.S. administration reduces defense and security assistance to Ukraine, a move that has caused consternation in Kyiv and European capitals such as Paris, Berlin, Rome, and London.
In Paris on Tuesday, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha met with Rubio before joining the full G7 group for discussions on security assistance. The two men did not speak while posing for photos prior to their discussion. A brief State Department statement noted that the pair discussed negotiations to end the Russia-Ukraine war, energy resilience, and defense cooperation.
These meetings in France occurred simultaneously with three-way talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States in the United Arab Emirates. The G7 gathering focused on how to maintain support for Ukraine amid shifting U.S. policy and the ongoing threat to maritime traffic in the Middle East.
Rubio’s comments highlighted the gap between American expectations for allied support and the cautious approach taken by European powers. While the U.S. maintains its naval presence in the Strait of Hormuz, the G7 has not yet agreed on a unified strategy to counter Iranian drone attacks on commercial shipping.
