Quick Read
- Iran rejected a US 15-point ceasefire plan ahead of the June G7 summit.
- European G7 members warn the Iran war severely disrupts global energy supplies.
- The US pressured France to exclude South Africa’s president from the summit.
- US preparing to deploy additional troops to the Middle East amid tensions.
- G7 faces internal divisions over Iran conflict and summit guest invitations.
PARIS (Azat TV) – As the G7 foreign ministers convened in France in March 2026 ahead of the June summit, the group faced mounting challenges stemming from the ongoing Iran war and diplomatic tensions surrounding summit invitations. Iran’s outright rejection of a US-proposed 15-point ceasefire plan and the controversy over South Africa’s exclusion from the summit reveal critical fractures within the G7’s approach to global economic stability and Middle East conflict prevention.
Iran war’s impact drives G7 energy and economic concerns
European G7 members have warned that the conflict in Iran, sparked by US and Israeli military actions, is causing catastrophic consequences for the global economy. Germany’s Defense Minister Boris Pistorius described the war as a “catastrophe” with no consultation from European allies before the US-led intervention. The crisis has severely disrupted energy supplies, with attacks damaging roughly 30 to 40 percent of Gulf refining capacity and nearly 17 percent of regional gas production, according to French Finance Minister Roland Lescure.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Tehran has further exacerbated energy market volatility, threatening global supply chains. European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas emphasized that Europe views the conflict as one it was not involved in and does not intend to escalate militarily. The war’s direct impact on energy infrastructure has prompted urgent discussions among G7 members about adjusting energy policy to mitigate supply risks and economic fallout.
US stance complicates G7 unity on Iran ceasefire efforts
Despite European calls for a diplomatic off-ramp, the United States’ position remains unpredictable. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s late arrival to the ministerial meeting underscored a lack of consensus. While Washington claims to hold indirect talks with Iranian officials and has proposed a ceasefire, Tehran has rejected these overtures, offering its own conditions that would grant Iran control over the Strait of Hormuz.
Additionally, the US is reportedly preparing to deploy thousands of troops to the region for potential further military action, including seizing strategic Iranian oil facilities. This military posture, combined with President Donald Trump’s public criticism of NATO and European allies for not supporting US operations, has strained transatlantic relations and complicated G7 cohesion on conflict resolution.
South Africa’s G7 invitation withdrawn amid US pressure
The G7’s diplomatic tensions extended beyond the Iran conflict with the contentious exclusion of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa from the upcoming summit. South Africa, not a G7 member but a frequent guest in prior years, was reportedly disinvited after the US threatened to boycott the event if Ramaphosa attended. Paris officially cited logistical reasons but has faced accusations of yielding to Washington’s pressure.
Ramaphosa has been a frequent target of Trump’s criticism, particularly over unfounded allegations related to violence against South Africa’s white minority. The move to exclude South Africa has raised questions about the G7’s inclusivity and the influence of US preferences on summit composition, especially given the group’s stated intention to address global economic imbalances and geopolitical tensions.
G7’s strategic crossroads amid Middle East instability
The March ministerial meetings have exposed the G7’s struggle to present a united front amid the escalating Iran war and intra-group disagreements. The US’s unpredictable role and military escalation risk overshadowing diplomatic efforts, while the exclusion of key regional voices like South Africa signals fractures in the alliance’s global approach.
With energy security and economic stability hanging in the balance, the June G7 summit will be a critical test of whether the world’s leading industrial nations can coordinate effective responses to the Middle East crisis and broader geopolitical challenges.
The G7’s current challenges illustrate the fragility of multilateral cooperation when major powers pursue divergent strategies, particularly in volatile conflict zones where energy supply disruptions amplify global economic risks.