ByREUTERS

JUNE 17, 2026 11:58

Updated: JUNE 17, 2026 12:22

G7 heads pressed for an immediate halt to fighting in Lebanon on Wednesday and pledged to broaden energy delivery paths to cut reliance on the Strait of Hormuz amid the Iran conflict, while backing a provisional accord to conclude hostilities.

The gathering took place in the French resort of Evian-les-Bains beside Lake Geneva as further elements of the American-Iranian ceasefire pact emerged from Washington and Tehran ahead of its scheduled public release on Friday just across the Swiss frontier.

The US-Iran pact is set to open talks on a definitive settlement to the fighting that has claimed more than 7,000 lives, the majority in Iran and Lebanon.

"We stress the necessity of talks to tackle the dangers Iran poses across the region and further afield while guaranteeing it never acquires nuclear arms," the leaders declared in a joint statement.

The meeting offered US President Donald Trump an opportunity to outline his arrangement with Iran to key partners from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan.

Although partners share worries about Iran's nuclear ambitions they stopped short of backing military action

They largely echo Washington's apprehensions regarding Tehran's nuclear activities and related matters yet refrained from supporting his choice to initiate conflict and remain concerned that Iran strengthened its hand by enduring the US-led campaign and tightening its grip on the waterway.

The leaders affirmed readiness to assist in carrying out the pact, with a group headed by Britain and France prepared to safeguard maritime traffic once the Strait of Hormuz reopens as anticipated on Friday.

The memorandum reached between Washington and Tehran this week, though still private, prolongs the April ceasefire by an additional 60 days to permit negotiations toward a durable settlement.

The US president appears to have secured few of his initial war aims. Iran's clerical leadership stays in power, its cache of highly enriched uranium remains intact, its missile forces were not eliminated and it continues backing anti-Israel groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Trump noted the accord confirms Iran will stay without nuclear weapons, echoing Tehran's longstanding stance since the 1970s, while US officials indicate upcoming talks will address removal or elimination of the enriched uranium reserves.

Nevertheless concluding the conflict on these terms could still draw criticism, including from hardliners inside his Republican ranks, ahead of November midterm votes.

A major unresolved issue concerns Lebanon, which Israel entered in March to dismantle Hezbollah after the group launched rockets across the frontier in support of Tehran following initial US-Israeli strikes on Iran.

Israeli troops continue to hold territory in southern Lebanon, displacing more than a million residents, while Hezbollah has avoided defeat.

Iran maintains the ceasefire must halt all Lebanon fighting and that any final agreement requires Israeli withdrawal. Israel, kept outside the US-Iran talks, states it will not pull back and retains the option of force.

This stance has created tension between Israel and Washington, with Trump openly criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. On Tuesday Trump remarked at the summit that he was "not happy" with Israel's conduct.

"Without us, without the United States, there would be no Israel. Without me, there would be no Israel, because no other president was willing to do what I did," Trump stated.

In their declaration the G7 leaders demanded an "immediate robust ceasefire" in Lebanon together with Hezbollah disarmament.

A Hezbollah representative informed Reuters the movement expects Iran to withhold approval for a permanent truce unless Israeli forces leave Lebanon.

Following years of American and global sanctions that strained Iran's economy, a peace accord could bring economic relief. The memorandum provides a 300 billion dollar reconstruction package financed by Gulf neighbors should Iran meet remaining conditions.

Over the next 60 days negotiators will confront thorny topics including Iran's nuclear future. Yet Tehran's backing of regional armed factions and its missile stockpile appear excluded from discussion, representing notable US compromises.

Oil prices keep declining after the deal announcement

Oil prices dropped further on Wednesday amid hopes the Strait of Hormuz will reopen, with Brent crude futures falling below 80 dollars to their lowest point since the conflict began.

A senior US official indicated Washington will lift sanctions on Iranian oil exports under the agreement, potentially adding millions of barrels to global supply, although experts caution full recovery of Middle East production will require several months.

The G7 leaders announced they would "speed up diversification of energy routes to lessen worldwide exposure to the Strait of Hormuz and bolster energy reserves."