Trump, G7 Leaders Rally Behind Iran Deal as Pressure Builds on Russia
President Donald Trump’s newly announced framework agreement with Iran became the dominant issue at this week’s G7 summit, with world leaders emerging from talks more supportive of the administration’s diplomatic push than many critics had predicted.
The summit had been expected to expose sharp divisions between Washington and its allies over Iran, Ukraine, trade, and global security. Instead, meetings in France ended with signs of growing alignment between the United States and key partners on some of the world’s most urgent foreign policy challenges.
According to multiple reports from officials attending the summit, G7 leaders broadly praised Trump’s effort to secure a ceasefire framework with Iran while also expressing support for stronger economic pressure on Russia to bring its war in Ukraine to an end.
The shift was notable given the tensions that had been building in the days before the summit.
European leaders initially feared a diplomatic clash with Washington over the administration’s handling of the Iran conflict. Instead, the discussions reportedly produced cautious optimism over both the Iran framework and future cooperation on Ukraine.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz summarized the mood after the meetings ended.
“The discussions we’ve had among ourselves and with the U.S. president give me a certain sense of optimism,” Merz said.
At the center of the summit was Trump’s surprise diplomatic breakthrough with Tehran.
Administration officials confirmed that Trump and Vice President JD Vance electronically signed a memorandum of understanding with Iran over the weekend. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf signed on behalf of Tehran.
The agreement remains preliminary, but officials described it as the first stage of a broader diplomatic process that will now move into detailed negotiations. The full text has not yet been released.
Vice President Vance spent much of the week rejecting reports that the agreement includes a massive reconstruction fund worth hundreds of billions of dollars.
“We’ll be releasing the text this week,” Vance said.
“What everybody will see is that Iran doesn’t get a dime of money unless they perform their obligations.”
Administration officials said no frozen Iranian assets have been released, no sanctions have been lifted, and no direct payments have been approved.
Instead, any future economic relief would be tied to strict compliance requirements centered on Iran’s nuclear program.
Vance said Tehran would have to permanently abandon any effort to obtain nuclear weapons, eliminate enriched nuclear stockpiles, and accept extensive verification measures before meaningful sanctions relief could be considered.
Officials also indicated that Gulf nations may eventually invest in Iranian reconstruction projects, but only if Tehran fully complies with the terms of the agreement.
One of the most immediate consequences of the deal involves the Strait of Hormuz.
Administration officials said the strategic waterway is expected to fully reopen after Friday’s signing ceremony.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer acknowledged the economic impact of the closure.
“The strait being closed has had an impact on our economy and an impact on every household across the country,” Starmer said.
European leaders also signaled a willingness to help secure the route if needed. According to reports from summit participants, discussions included possible mine-clearing operations and broader maritime security cooperation.
French President Emmanuel Macron suggested such assistance could be available under the right conditions.
The emerging cooperation on Iran was closely tied to another major issue at the summit: Ukraine.
According to several diplomatic reports, Trump expressed openness to intensifying pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin if Moscow continues refusing meaningful negotiations.
After meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other leaders, Trump suggested that additional pressure on Russia’s energy sector could be on the table.
“Russia has to make a deal,” Trump said.
The comment was welcomed by European leaders who have spent months trying to maintain unity behind Ukraine while also navigating Trump’s push for a negotiated settlement.
Several diplomats described the atmosphere around the Ukraine talks as more positive than expected.
Officials cautioned that Trump has shifted positions on Ukraine in the past, but many participants still viewed the summit as an encouraging sign that cooperation between Washington and its allies remains intact.
Behind the scenes, European leaders also engaged in a deliberate charm offensive aimed at strengthening their relationship with the American president.
The effort appeared to reflect a broader reality: Trump’s second-term foreign policy is no longer something allies can simply criticize from the sidelines. Whether the issue is Iran, Ukraine, energy markets, or global security, world leaders are increasingly forced to deal with the fact that Washington is again setting the pace.
For Trump’s supporters, the summit offered a clear contrast with the weakness and drift of the previous global order. Rather than allowing hostile regimes to dictate events, the administration is using leverage, sanctions, diplomacy, and military credibility to force negotiations on America’s terms.
The Iran framework is still in its early stages, and the coming weeks will determine whether Tehran is serious about compliance. But the reaction from G7 leaders suggests that Trump’s approach has already reshaped the diplomatic conversation.
What began as a summit expected to highlight division ended with allies cautiously lining up behind the president’s strategy.