G7 summit in France advances US‑Iran ceasefire and boosts Ukraine defense support

At the G7 summit in Evian‑les‑Bains, France, leaders discussed the Middle East crisis, noting that the United States and Iran have reached a temporary cease‑fire extension of 60 days and agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for all shipping. The deal, according to a senior U.S. official, also includes the possible release of Iranian frozen assets, easing of sanctions and the creation of a $300 billion fund to help rebuild Iran, pending Tehran’s compliance with agreed conditions. French President Emmanuel Macron said Western partners were ready to act quickly to support the reopening of Hormuz, while the IMF warned of continued energy supply risks.

The summit also focused on the Russia‑Ukraine war. G7 leaders pledged to increase air‑defence capability for Ukraine, providing additional missile‑intercept systems, long‑range strike assets and considering licences that would enable Ukraine to produce its own Patriot‑type interceptors. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky highlighted the need for domestic missile production, and the G7 affirmed continued support through the upcoming winter and discussed pathways to resume diplomatic talks with Russia.