G7 Top Diplomats Urge End To Attacks On Civilians In Iran War

PARIS, March 28 (Bernama-Kyodo) -- The foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) countries on Friday urged an immediate end to attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure as the US-Israeli war with Iran nears its one-month mark, Kyodo News reported.

"We underscored the importance of minimising the impact of the conflict on regional partners and civilian populations and critical infrastructure -- and the need to coordinate humanitarian aid efforts," the ministers said in a joint statement after meeting at the Abbaye des Vaux-de-Cernay near Paris.

The top diplomats of the world's leading democracies, including France, Japan and the United States, also highlighted the need "to permanently restore safe and toll-free freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz", a critical waterway for global energy supplies that has been largely blocked by Iran since the war began on Feb 28.

They also said there can be "no justification" for attacks on diplomatic facilities.

While the rift between the United States and other G7 members, which are reluctant to be militarily involved in a war they did not start, appeared to remain unresolved, the group sought to demonstrate its unity.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that one immediate challenge is that Iran could set up a "tolling system" in the key shipping lane.

"Not only is this illegal, it's unacceptable. It's dangerous to the world, and it's important that the world have a plan to confront it. The United States is prepared to be a part of that plan," Rubio said after attending only the second day of the ministers' two days of discussions.

Among other major topics, France said, the ministers discussed Russia's war against Ukraine, the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific region based on the rule of law and the G7's ongoing efforts to secure supply chains for critical minerals.

France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot hosted the two-day meeting as part of the country's preparations for this year's G7 summit in Evian in mid-June.

Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi told his counterparts that ensuring the safety of navigation for all vessels in the Strait of Hormuz is "an urgent priority" and noted that the country is actively working toward that end, including by engaging with Iran, with which it has maintained diplomatic ties for decades.

The Japanese Foreign Ministry also said Motegi mentioned Tokyo's early decision to tap its oil reserves, with the release starting on March 16, as a way to stabilise supplies.

Japan depends on the Middle East for more than 90 per cent of its crude oil imports, most of which transit the narrow strait between Iran and Oman.

During a session focusing on the situation in Iran and the surrounding region, the Japanese ministry added that the United States briefed them "on the latest developments and the prospects going forward".

The other G7 members are Britain, Canada, Germany and Italy, along with the European Union. France invited the foreign ministers of Brazil, India, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Ukraine, as well as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, to attend part of the group's latest discussions.

-- BERNAMA-KYODO