G7 opens with interim Iran deal and Ukraine push at Evian

Donald Trump arrived at the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, on Monday evening and described a framework agreement with Iran as essentially complete. He told reporters that the Strait of Hormuz would be fully open by Friday, when a formal signing is scheduled in Geneva, and that the accord would prevent Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon under strong verification measures. Oil prices have fallen and markets have risen on the news, Trump said, adding that broader improvements in the Middle East would follow.

The comments came as leaders gathered to discuss the preliminary U.S.-Iran understanding alongside the war in Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron, the host, said the priority was to convert the digitally signed memorandum into a durable final text. He scheduled a working lunch to address the safe reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, including possible Franco-British maritime patrols and alternative energy routes that would reduce reliance on the waterway. Other participants include the leaders of Britain, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan and the European Union, with additional attendance from the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Egypt.

European officials have made clear they want more than an interim arrangement. They are concerned that an agreement reached without rigorous limits on Iran’s ballistic missile program and its stockpile of highly enriched uranium could leave Tehran with significant capabilities after the initial 60-day negotiation window. Technical talks led by U.S. Vice President JD Vance are expected to begin later this week, but diplomats noted that several contentious issues remain unresolved, including sanctions relief and verification procedures.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has kept his distance from the negotiations. While he did not criticize the emerging deal, Israeli officials emphasized that the country would retain positions in southern Lebanon and that earlier war aims, such as regime change in Tehran, had not been achieved. Analysts in Israel described the outcome as falling short of the government’s initial objectives.

Separate from the Iran discussions, Trump said he would meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky one-on-one later on Tuesday after a group session with G7 leaders. European participants are pressing for a coordinated approach to ending the war in Ukraine, with some urging Washington to reconsider aspects of its current strategy. Trump reiterated that both Russia and Ukraine had suffered heavy losses and should pursue a settlement.

The summit has featured customary diplomatic gestures. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz presented Trump with a customized national football jersey bearing the name “Trump” and the number 47. The exchange occurred during a working session that also included British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Such moments reflect an effort by European hosts to maintain working relations even after earlier public disagreements over trade, security commitments and regional conflicts.

The formal signing in Geneva remains the next scheduled milestone. Whether the document produces a verifiable, long-term limit on Iran’s nuclear activities will depend on the substance of the talks that follow.