Rubio Urges Allies to Protect Strait of Hormuz Shipping, Reports No G7 Response/ NEWSLOOKS/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged other countries Tuesday to help protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz but said his G7 counterparts offered no response. Allies including France have conditioned maritime assistance on an end to fighting, a position Rubio described as a “Catch-22.” The Paris meetings also addressed Ukraine’s security needs as US-mediated negotiations with Russia opened in Abu Dhabi.
Quick Look
- Maritime appeal: Rubio called for other nations to help defend ships against Iranian attacks.
- No reported progress: He said G7 counterparts did not respond to his request.
- US commitment: Washington will continue protecting shipping through the strategic waterway.
- Allied conditions: France and other partners want fighting to stop before providing minesweepers and other assistance.
- Continuing threat: Vessels passing through the strait remain exposed to drone attacks.
- Ukraine discussions: Rubio met Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha before broader G7 consultations.
- Parallel negotiations: Russia, Ukraine and the United States began three-way talks in the United Arab Emirates.
Deep Look
Rubio Seeks Broader Help Defending Strait of Hormuz Shipping
PARIS — Secretary of State Marco Rubio pressed other nations Tuesday to take a greater role in protecting commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, while acknowledging that his appeal produced no response from fellow Group of Seven foreign ministers.
“I raised it. I didn’t get a response,” Rubio said after two days of meetings in Paris.
His comments highlighted continuing differences between Washington and its partners over when and how to provide maritime security assistance as vessels face Iranian attacks.
Rubio said the United States would continue defending shipping through the strategic waterway.
“We’ve actually encouraged our partners to join us in the effort of defending global shipping,” he said.
Allies Want Fighting to Stop Before Deploying Assistance
US allies, including France, have said hostilities must end before they can provide minesweepers and other support to protect tankers and commercial vessels passing through the strait.
Rubio characterized that condition as “kind of a Catch-22,” arguing that shipping needs protection while the threat remains.
“Part of the challenge we have is there’s countries out there that say, ‘Well, we’re ready to provide forces to help defend shipping once there’s no risk of conflict,’” he said.
He framed maritime security as an international responsibility rather than a task Washington should carry alone.
“We think it’s in the interest of the world to protect shipping because the U.S. doesn’t get any oil from there,” Rubio said.
“These countries should step up. I think a couple are thinking about it,” he added.
He did not identify those countries or announce any new deployment commitments.
Ukraine Security Also Features in Paris Meetings
The G7 discussions also focused on Ukraine as Russian, Ukrainian and American negotiators held separate talks in Abu Dhabi.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha began Tuesday by meeting Rubio in Paris before joining a broader session with G7 foreign ministers.
Neither official spoke publicly as they posed for photographs before their discussion.
The State Department said afterward that they had “discussed negotiations to end the Russia-Ukraine war, energy resilience, and defense cooperation.”
Reduced US Assistance Raises European Concerns
The broader G7 meeting was intended to address defense and security assistance for Ukraine.
President Donald Trump’s administration has reduced that support, generating concern in Kyiv and across European capitals.
France, Germany, Italy and Britain—all G7 members—remain central participants in discussions about Ukraine’s security and the implications of any negotiated settlement.
The Paris consultations therefore unfolded alongside two unresolved challenges: securing broader participation in protecting Middle Eastern shipping and coordinating support for Ukraine while peace negotiations continue.
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