Rubio gives America the first message during G7 talks on Iran in France

Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in France on Friday to attend the meeting of G7 foreign ministers, where he will deliver a clear message on US priorities for the ongoing war with Iran.

In the days leading up to the meeting, other members took markedly different approaches to the war. Nearly all of Washington’s partners – Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan – have reacted cautiously to the US-Israeli military campaign and refused to participate in offensive operations, even as they condemn Iranian actions.

Before leaving Thursday, Rubio signaled a defiant approach to the talks: “I don’t work for France, Germany or Japan… the people I want to make happy are the people of the United States. I work for them,” he said in a video on X.

The disagreement has caused frustration for President Donald Trump, who has urged his allies to contribute more, especially in securing key maritime routes such as the Strait of Hormuz. While some countries have indicated a willingness to support defensive or maritime security efforts, they have not engaged in direct military attacks.

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“The US is constantly asked to help in wars, and we have done so. But when it was needed, it did not get a positive response from NATO. Some leaders said that Iran was not Europe’s war. Ukraine is not our war, yet we contributed more to that fight than anyone else,” Rubio added.

“The Strait of Hormuz could be open tomorrow if Iran stops threatening global shipping, which is a shame and a violation of international law. All these countries that care about international law should do something about it,” he said before boarding his plane to France.

The comments set the tone for a summit already marked by growing friction between Washington and some of its closest allies over how to handle the conflict with Iran. Rubio has put the stakes in stark terms. “Iran has been at war with the United States for 47 years… Iran has killed Americans around the world and attacked Americans,” he said at a Cabinet meeting at the White House, adding that allowing Tehran to obtain nuclear weapons would be “an unacceptable risk to the world.”

But even before Rubio arrived at the meeting, European officials signaled a markedly different approach.

“We must leave the war and not allow it to escalate further, because the consequences for everyone around the world are quite serious,” European Commission Vice President Kaja Kallas said at a briefing on the sidelines of the G7 on Thursday.

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“It can only be a diplomatic solution… sit down and negotiate to find a way out,” she added.

The contrast between Rubio’s wording and Kallas’ message reflects the core tension shaping the meeting.

U.S. officials say Rubio is entering the talks with a broader agenda that goes beyond just Iran.

The US is also expected to emphasize maritime security, including freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, while urging allies to take on a greater share of responsibilities in conflict zones and international organizations, the spokesperson said.

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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to reporters before boarding a plane as he heads to France, where he will participate in the G7 foreign ministers meeting, at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, U.S., March 26, 2026. (Brendan Smialowski/Pool via Reuters)

European officials have instead emphasized the conflict’s broader risks.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said the G7 discussions would build on a recent joint statement condemning Iran’s actions while highlighting maritime security concerns.

He said the “discussions will provide an opportunity to review the positions already agreed at G7 level… including Iran’s unjustified attacks on the Gulf States… which we have condemned in the strongest possible terms.”

Barrot added that ministers would also focus on securing global shipping routes.

“We will also have the opportunity to address maritime security and freedom of navigation… including an international mission… to ensure the smooth flow of maritime traffic in a strictly defensive posture, thus helping to alleviate pressure on energy prices,” he said.

Kallas reiterated that global framework. “All countries in the world are affected by this war in one way or another… it is in everyone’s interest that this war ends,” she said.

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Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, addresses the press during the EU Summit in Brussels, Belgium on December 19, 2024. (Photo by Nicolas Landemard/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Her comments also highlighted the interconnected nature of the crisis. “Russia is helping Iran with intelligence… and now also supporting Iran with drones,” she said, linking the conflict with Iran to the war in Ukraine.

That uncertainty is already affecting the structure of the summit, with officials dropping plans for a unified final communiqué to avoid exposing divisions, Reuters reported.

“This reflects a lack of European ability to project power in the region, especially in protecting the Strait of Hormuz.”

FILE PHOTO: Cargo ships in the Gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz, seen from northern Ras al-Khaimah, near the border with Oman’s Musandam administration, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in the United Arab Emirates, March 11, 2026. (REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo/File Photo)

Seener added that years of dependence on Washington have left Europe increasingly exposed as the US shifts its strategic priorities. “Years of underinvestment in defense and dependence on the United States have created a dependency that Washington increasingly views as a betrayal of the peace it has guaranteed to Europe since World War II,” he said.

“With the US placing more value on its relationship with Israel than NATO, the result could be further erosion of the alliance, reduced support for Ukraine and increasing economic pressure on Europe.”

He warned that the immediate test will take place at the G7 itself. “Divisions over how to respond to Iran and any US request for support are likely to expose deeper transatlantic divisions,” Seener said.

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A satellite image shows the Strait of Hormuz, a major global energy bottleneck connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, on October 2, 2024. (Gallo Images/Orbital Horizon/Copernicus Sentinel data via Getty Images)

“Western Europe’s failure to participate in securing the Strait of Hormuz is particularly egregious because those countries are more dependent on it than we are,” he added.

“At the same time, the historic successes of Operation Epic Fury have instilled new confidence among our partners in the Middle East to root out the Iranian regime’s threats and work together to shape a more peaceful and prosperous region.”