G7 leaders demand ceasefire in Lebanon, welcome Iran deal

G7 leaders on Wednesday called for a ceasefire in Lebanon and pledged to diversify energy supply routes to reduce dependence on the Strait of Hormuz as they welcomed an interim US-Iran agreement aimed at ending the conflict.

The leaders met in Evian-les-Bains, France, as details of the US-Iran ceasefire deal emerged ahead of its formal unveiling, expected on Friday in Switzerland. The agreement is expected to begin negotiations toward a final settlement to end the war, which has killed more than 7,000 people, mostly in Iran and Lebanon.

In a joint statement, the leaders said: “We underline the need for the negotiation … to address the threats posed by Iran in the region and beyond and ensure that they never obtain a nuclear weapon.”

The summit provided US President Donald Trump an opportunity to present the agreement to leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan. While the G7 nations share concerns over Iran’s nuclear programme, they did not support Washington’s decision to go to war and remain concerned that Tehran strengthened its position by enduring the conflict and maintaining control over the Strait of Hormuz.

The leaders said they were prepared to support implementation of the accord. Britain and France are expected to lead efforts to secure shipping routes once the strait reopens, which is anticipated on Friday.

The memorandum of understanding signed by Washington and Tehran extends a ceasefire first announced in April by another 60 days to allow negotiations on a permanent truce.

However, the agreement leaves several major issues unresolved. Iran’s government remains in power, its stockpile of highly enriched uranium has not been surrendered, its ballistic missile programme remains intact and it continues to support anti-Israel groups such as Hezbollah.

Trump said the deal states that Iran will not obtain a nuclear weapon, while US officials said future negotiations would address the fate of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile.

The interim agreement has drawn criticism from some Republican hawks ahead of November’s midterm elections, with questions also remaining over Lebanon.

Israel invaded Lebanon in March to target Hezbollah after the group launched attacks in support of Tehran following US-Israeli strikes on Iran.

Israeli troops continue to occupy parts of southern Lebanon, displacing more than a million people, while Hezbollah remains active. Iran insists any ceasefire must include an end to hostilities in Lebanon and eventually lead to an Israeli withdrawal.

Israel, excluded from the US-Iran negotiations, has rejected those demands and says it reserves the right to use military force.

The disagreement has created tensions between Washington and Israel. Trump publicly criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and said at the summit he was “not happy” with the way Israel had conducted itself.

“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 said.

The G7 leaders called for an “immediate robust ceasefire” in Lebanon and urged the disarmament of Hezbollah. A Hezbollah spokesperson told Reuters the group believed Iran would not agree to a permanent truce if the Israeli occupation continued.

The proposed peace deal could provide significant economic benefits to Iran after decades of sanctions. The memorandum includes a $300 billion reconstruction fund financed by Gulf states, contingent on Iran complying with other provisions.

Negotiators are expected to use the next 60 days to address difficult issues, including Iran’s nuclear programme. However, Iran’s missile arsenal and support for regional militias do not appear to be part of the discussions, representing a significant concession by Washington.

Oil prices fell on Wednesday amid expectations that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen. Brent crude dropped below $80 a barrel, its lowest level since the conflict began.

A senior US official said Washington would waive sanctions on Iranian oil under the agreement, potentially adding millions of barrels to global supply, although industry officials cautioned that regional oil and gas production could take months to recover fully.

The G7 leaders also said they had committed to “accelerate the diversification of energy supply routes in order to reduce global vulnerability to the Strait of Hormuz and to increase our energy stocks.”