G7 nations have provided backing for President Donald Trump’s preliminary deal with Iran. Although the agreement explicitly spares Iran’s ballistic program, and details concerning the handling of Iran’s uranium reserves in an upcoming “Phase 2” still need negotiation, the G7 states generally welcome the arrangement, sources told reporters on Tuesday at the summit in Évian, France. The official signing of the agreement between the US and Iran is now anticipated for next Friday, which will take place at Bürgenstock in Switzerland, rather than in Geneva as previously expected.
The European partners have reportedly reiterated their readiness at the G7 summit to offer concrete support for implementing the agreement. Among the topics discussed on Tuesday was potential involvement in demining operations in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz-including the use of military means-provided specific conditions are met. Germany, for example, has consistently stressed that these “conditions” require a robust peace treaty, meaning Iran must not intervene against or militarily obstruct such a demining effort.
Another idea put forward by the G7 countries is to strengthen the official Lebanese army, in the hope of preventing a resurgence of conflicts between Israel and Hezbollah in South Lebanon.
More broadly, participants in the G7 gathering in France spoke of a positive dynamic regarding the United States. The summit also remembered last year’s meeting in Canada, when Trump departed prematurely. There is growing hope that the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara will proceed harmoniously. However, whether the US is prepared to reconsider the cuts to NATO contributions initiated under Trump remains uncertain. Insiders estimate that this depends largely on how diligently Europeans participate in the follow-up costs and security guarantees in the Middle East, as well as how quickly they increase their own defense spending.
