PARIS, November 10, 2026 — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has urged America’s Group of Seven partners to help protect commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, but acknowledged that he received no immediate response when he raised the request during foreign-minister talks in Paris.

Rubio said the United States would continue defending vessels travelling through the strategic waterway, where ships have faced drone attacks amid the wider conflict with Iran. The strait is a critical route for global energy trade, and disruptions can affect oil shipments, insurance costs and the movement of commercial goods far beyond the Gulf region.

Asked how his counterparts reacted to the appeal, Rubio said he raised the issue but did not get a response. He argued that protecting international shipping should be a shared responsibility, noting that the United States does not import oil through the strait but still has an interest in keeping the route open for the wider global economy.

The secretary of state said some U.S. allies had indicated they would consider providing minesweepers and other support only after the fighting had ended. France and other partners have expressed concern about sending personnel and equipment into an active conflict zone. Rubio described that position as a Catch-22 because, in Washington’s view, assistance is needed to make shipping safer while the conflict continues.

The discussions highlight the gap between the Trump administration’s desire for a broader international maritime effort and the caution of allies who do not want to become directly involved in a dangerous military operation. Rubio said he believed a few countries were considering the request, but he did not announce any new commitments.

The G7 meeting also addressed the war in Ukraine. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha met Rubio in Paris before joining discussions with other senior diplomats. The U.S. State Department said the two officials discussed efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war, energy resilience and defence cooperation.

The diplomatic talks took place as Russian, Ukrainian and U.S. representatives held a separate round of negotiations in Abu Dhabi. European governments have expressed concern about their limited role in the direct talks and about the Trump administration’s reduced support for Kyiv.

Rubio’s appeal now leaves G7 governments facing a difficult calculation: whether to contribute naval assets to protect a route essential to global trade while military risks remain high, or wait for a more stable security environment. No collective G7 deployment was announced during the Paris meeting.

Sources

Associated Press report from the G7 meeting