G7 summit in Evian sees Trump, Meloni pledge naval mission to reopen Strait of Hormuz

At the G7 summit in Evian‑les‑Bains, United States President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met again after a period of sharp criticism. Their encounter was described as relaxed, with smiles and light banter, and took place before the official dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron.

Both leaders, alongside France, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, said Europe is ready to support a naval operation to ensure the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz once the U.S.–Iran agreement on navigation is applied. Meloni stressed that Italy would contribute "its part" pending parliamentary approval, while Trump said the strait could be fully reopened "by Friday" and welcomed the possibility of a few allied ships joining the effort.

The summit also scheduled a session on the Ukraine conflict, with President Volodymyr Zelensky expected to address the leaders. The discussions highlighted a broader effort to restore maritime security and ease tensions in the Middle East following recent cease‑fire agreements.