US-Iran agreement: Trump opens G7 in Evian saying deal could end war and aid global security

President Donald Trump began the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains by backing a US-Iran agreement he said could end the conflict and strengthen global security. He indicated more terms would be negotiated over 60 days, with a memorandum of understanding expected to be released after it is signed on Friday.

President Donald Trump opened the G7 summit on Monday by saying an emerging agreement to end the US war with Iran could improve global security. Trump said the deal could help the United States reset ties with Iran. Trump arrived for talks with other leaders as energy prices had jumped during the 15-week conflict.

Trump met French President Emmanuel Macron before a working dinner with other leaders in Evian-les-Bains. "I think a lot of great things are going to happen in the Middle East right now, and very importantly the oil price is plummeting down and the stock market is shooting up like a rocket today,\" Trump said. \"The Iran deal that we made is going to bring a lot of success to the world,\" Trump said.

Iran deal and G7 summit talks

Some parts of the plan were still under negotiation, with talks expected to continue for 60 days. Trump said a memorandum of understanding would likely be released after it is signed on Friday. Trump had faced criticism from several leaders over not consulting them before the war decision. An agreement ahead of the summit could ease tensions during the three-day meeting.

Macron welcomed the progress at the start of Monday’s meeting and praised Trump’s move toward an agreement. \"Its a very important matter for peace of the whole world,\" Macron said. Trump had clashed with Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Trump also criticised the leaders for limited support during the conflict.

Iran deal and Strait of Hormuz

G7 leaders were expected to discuss demining the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route. Britain and France had shown interest in helping once fighting pauses. Worries about sea mines were among reasons tanker traffic stopped during the war. Senior US officials said the agreement would reopen the strait at once and lift the US naval blockade.

Macron said France could act within days and deploy assets, including mine-clearing vessels. US officials warned it may take weeks for shipping to return to earlier levels. Macron also invited Egypt, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to a Middle East session on Tuesday. Iran was expected to be a central topic during that meeting.

Iran deal and nuclear verification questions

Trump had attacked President Barack Obama’s 2015 nuclear agreement and said it boosted Tehran’s finances. Trump left the pact in 2018, ending US participation in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the European Union were also signatories. In an interview with The New York Times on Sunday, Trump said, \"We negotiated from strength,\" and added, \"He was basically paying them off.\"

Trump had not explained who would verify Iran’s compliance under the new agreement. Another open issue involved 972 pounds 441 kilograms of highly enriched uranium. The material was believed buried under nuclear sites damaged by US strikes last summer. Senior US officials said the memorandum raised releasing Iran’s frozen funds, easing sanctions, and a USD 300 billion rebuilding fund. They said support would depend on Tehran meeting benchmarks.

Critics questioned how the financial relief differed from the 2015 approach. \"For all his critique of JCPOA, we had international observers, we actually had an alliance there that included the Europeans, and Russia and China were all signatories,\" Sen. Mark Warner told CBS Face the Nation on Sunday. Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham said Congress must review and vote on any nuclear deal. \"I am somewhat concerned that Irans view of the agreement seems different than what the American negotiating team is claiming,\" Graham said on social media.

Iran deal and trade and Ukraine issues

Alongside the Iran talks, leaders were expected to cover trade and the war in Ukraine. Trump told the New York Post the US could impose 100 per cent tariffs on French wines. Trump linked the threat to France ending its digital tax on American tech firms. Wines and spirits from the European Union currently faced a 15 per cent tariff.

Macron rejected the US stance in an interview with TF1 on Monday. Macron said, \"its not for the United States to decide what European or French law should be.\" Macron also invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to a G7 working session on Tuesday. The meeting was set to focus on the Russia-Ukraine war and next steps by allies.

Zelenskyy was not scheduled for one-on-one talks with Trump during the France trip. Trump still spoke by phone on Sunday with Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russian aide Yuri Ushakov said Trump urged an end to hostilities. Ushakov said Trump was ready to influence European allies and Kyiv, including at the G7.

A Ukrainian official told The Associated Press that Zelenskyy had offered to meet Putin at the G7. The official said Trump and European leaders would also attend. The official said the Kremlin did not reply and spoke anonymously. Trump indicated that an Iran agreement could allow more focus on the Russia-Ukraine war during the summit.

With inputs from PTI