US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has joined a meeting of G7 foreign ministers in France for talks in which the US-Israeli war with Iran will be the main focus, the BBC reports.
Rubio is expected to face pressure to de-escalate the conflict as concerns continue to grow over its impact on the world economy.
The other G7 countries – the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan – are wary of being drawn in militarily. The group will also discuss the war in Ukraine.
As he headed to France, Rubio said it was in the “interest” of G7 nations to “step up” and help with the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively blockaded, causing fuel prices to soar.
“I’m not there to make them happy,” he told reporters. “For all the countries who care about international law, they should be doing something about it.”
As they went into the meeting, UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper told the media: “We need to see a swift resolution to this conflict that restores the regional stability, that needs to include the Strait of Hormuz.”
About 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas typically passes through the strait and the war has caused concern over price rises and potential shortages.
Ministers from the G7 have previously said they are ready to take “necessary measures” to support the global energy supply.
