Vaux-de-Cernay, France, March 27, (dpa/GNA) – The foreign ministers of the G7 countries, on Friday called for an immediate end to attacks on civilian infrastructure in the Iran conflict.
In a surprise move, the ministers of the economically powerful democracies issued a joint statement about the Iran war, following their meeting near Paris. A statement from the French G7 presidency was all that had been previously expected.
“There can be no justification for the deliberate targeting of civilians in situations of armed conflict, as well as attacks on diplomatic facilities,” the joint statement said.
The foreign ministers emphasized, in their view, “the absolute necessity to permanently restore safe and toll free freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.”
The strait is a transport route of immense importance for the global oil and gas trade, which lies directly off the coast of Iran.
Since the start of the US-Israeli attacks on the Islamic Republic, Iran has been using radio to warn ships in the strait not to pass through, and according to some observers is operating a kind of “toll” system for boats that want to sail through.
In addition to Germany, the Group of Seven includes France, the UK, Italy, Japan, Canada and the US.
The war in Iran has provoked tensions between the US and its European allies, with Washington accusing NATO countries of not contributing enough, in particular not helping to secure the Strait of Hormuz. This disagreement also meant that the joint statement was a surprising move by the top G7 diplomats.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also attended the talks.
Before his departure for Paris, Rubio had backed President Donald Trump’s criticism that NATO allies had failed to assist, when the US had requested help.
GNA