US President Donald Trump’s announcement of the completion of the Iran–US peace deal, intended to end hostilities in West Asia, dominated the agenda at the G7 dinner meeting on Monday night.

The dinner was hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron on the opening day of the 52nd G7 Summit in Evian, France, under France’s presidency this year. Leaders engaged in what was described as a “frank” and detailed conversation about the agreement, which Trump signed virtually on Sunday.

The dinner lasted nearly two hours and took place around a table overlooking the southern shoreline of Lake Geneva. Alongside the Iran deal, leaders also discussed other pressing international issues, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

European leaders left the meeting with lingering questions about the Iran agreement, particularly since the text of the deal has not yet been made public.

One of the central concerns raised by European officials was the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping. US officials have offered varying timelines and explanations over the past day regarding how quickly normal maritime traffic could resume through the strategically vital waterway. 

Ahead of the summit, Washington had indicated that European countries would be expected to assist in clearing mines from the strait once hostilities ended.

Trump, speaking earlier on Monday before the dinner, stated that the Strait of Hormuz had “already partially opened” and would be “completely opened” by Friday as part of the agreement.

During a bilateral meeting with Macron on the sidelines of the summit at Évian-les-Bains, Trump expressed optimism about the implementation of the deal and the restoration of maritime movement through the strait. He noted that mine clearance operations were underway and that ships had already begun to move, with full reopening expected by Friday.

The deal, signed on Sunday, stipulates that the strategic waterway will be fully reopened after the agreement is implemented on Friday. Trump later reinforced this message in a post on Truth Social, describing the accord as the “Great Deal” and claiming it would bring “Peace and Security” to the entire region.

He emphasised that previous presidents had failed to achieve peace with Iran, but that regional leaders had now found a partner in him to deliver real stability. He added that with the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, oil would flow freely once again, benefiting both the region and the wider world.

This development marks a significant moment in international diplomacy, with the G7 leaders scrutinising both the practicalities and implications of the agreement. The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global energy supplies, remains the focal point of concern and optimism alike, as the world awaits the full implementation of the accord later this week.

ANI