US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks after G7 meeting of foreign ministers:
- We had a really good meeting at G7
- we expect the Iran operation to conclude at the appropriate time, we are talking weeks not months.
- Iran may decide to set up a tolling system on the Strait of Hormuz.
- There are no meetings scheduled as of now on Russia – Ukraine.
- Weapons destined for Ukraine are not being diverted but that could happen.
- Rubio told G7 leaders that the war with Iran will continue for another 4 weeks.
- There is nothing Russia is doing for Iran’s that impedes our operations.
- Zelenskyy was told security guarantees, only after there is an end to the war.
- Zelenskyy is comments on Thursday about supposed US demands for Ukrainian concessions were “a lie”
- We can achieve our goals in Iran without any ground troops.
- We are waiting for further clarification on who we will be talking to on Iran negotiations
- We have exchanged messages and indications from Iranian system about a willingness to talk about certain things
- Iranian tolling of the Strait of Hormuz would not be acceptable.
- We do expect a response from Iran either today or tomorrow.
- Relief on Russian crude is not a permanent policy for the United States.
There are some constructive elements — timelines (weeks, not months – although, it was supposed to be over at 4 week – we are going past that this week), no need for ground troops, and ongoing communication with Iran — but nothing in there signals a clear path to resolution. You’re still waiting on responses, still defining who talks to who, and still dealing with potential risks like Hormuz disruption.
So while the tone is measured and somewhat confident, the substance says the situation is still fluid and unresolved.
Meanwhile, German Chancellor Merz is saying:
- If there is international mandate after Iran war and parliamentary approval, could help for example with mine clearance.
- US and Israel have no strategy on what they want
Ouch.