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Rubio Tells G7 Iran War Likely to Last 2–4 More Weeks as Allies Resist Trump Strategy
At a G7 foreign ministers’ meeting in France, Sen. Marco Rubio pressed skeptical allies to “step up” on Iran while saying privately the war will likely continue another two to four weeks and publicly that the U.S. expects it to end “in weeks and not months,” as President Trump set an April 6 deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and threatened strikes on power plants. European ministers urged de‑escalation and said they were not consulted on U.S. plans, and Rubio said Washington remains in indirect contact via mediators amid confusion in Tehran—officials avoiding phone use and lacking top‑level approval for talks—with VP JD Vance seen as likely to lead any U.S. delegation.
📌 Key Facts
- Sen. Marco Rubio traveled to France to press G7 foreign ministers to “step up” in response to Iran’s effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, saying “very little” of U.S. energy comes through the strait and arguing the world has a greater economic stake.
- At the G7 meeting in Vaux‑de‑Cernay, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas framed the agenda around de‑escalation and linked the Iran war to Russia’s war in Ukraine; Rubio also reiterated the U.S. commitment to seeking a ceasefire and negotiated settlement in Ukraine as part of broader diplomatic outreach.
- Rubio told G7 counterparts privately that the war with Iran is likely to continue another two to four weeks and publicly said he expects it to end in “weeks and not months.”
- He said the U.S. remains in indirect contact with Iran via mediators but that decision‑making in Tehran is unclear: two Iranian officials reportedly want talks but lack top‑level approval, and communications are being slowed because Iranian officials are avoiding phone use out of fear of being located or assassinated.
- President Trump set a new April 6 deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and threatened to destroy Iranian power plants if it does not; he also escalated rhetoric criticizing NATO for doing “absolutely nothing” on Iran, remarks Rubio echoed in tone while seeking allied support.
- Several European governments say they were not informed in advance of Trump’s Iran plans and have “no interest” in joining what they view as a potentially protracted war; France framed its role as strictly defensive and emphasized diplomacy as the path to peace, while the U.K. said it supports defensive action but has “taken a different approach” on offensive measures.
- Rubio indicated Vice President J.D. Vance would likely lead any U.S. delegation if formal talks with Iran take place.
📰 Source Timeline (4)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
March 27, 2026
4:58 PM
Rubio tells allies Iran war will continue 2-4 more weeks
New information:
- Rubio told G7 foreign ministers privately that the war with Iran will continue another two to four weeks, saying publicly afterward that the U.S. expects it to end in 'weeks and not months.'
- He told counterparts that the U.S. remains in indirect contact with Iran via mediators, but that there is 'unclarity' over who is making decisions in Tehran and that two Iranian officials want talks but lack top‑level approval.
- Rubio said Iranian officials are staying off their phones out of fear of being located and assassinated, which he said is slowing communications, and indicated Vice President JD Vance is likely to lead any U.S. delegation if formal talks occur.
1:31 PM
G7 meets on Russia-Ukraine war as Rubio tries to sell U.S. strategy in Iran to skeptical allies insulted by Trump
New information:
- At the March 27, 2026 G7 foreign ministers’ meeting at Vaux‑de‑Cernay, French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin said the Middle East war 'is not ours' and framed France’s position as strictly defensive, emphasizing diplomacy as 'the only' path back to peace.
- U.K. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper publicly acknowledged differences with the U.S., saying Britain supports defensive action but has 'taken a different approach on the offensive action that has taken place as part of this conflict.'
- President Trump escalated his rhetoric on NATO the day before Rubio arrived, saying 'We are very disappointed with NATO because NATO has done absolutely nothing' on Iran, comments that Rubio then echoed in tone while trying to persuade skeptical allies.
- Rubio posted from the G7 that he had reiterated Trump’s commitment to reaching a ceasefire and negotiated settlement to the Russia-Ukraine war 'as soon as possible,' signaling that Ukraine war diplomacy was being linked, at least rhetorically, to the Iran discussions.
9:49 AM
Rubio heads to Europe to try garner support for Iran war
New information:
- Confirms Rubio is heading to France to attend a G7 foreign ministers meeting specifically to press allies to 'step up' in dealing with Iran’s effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
- Reports that on Thursday Trump announced a new deadline of April 6 for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, threatening destruction of Iranian power plants if it does not.
- Details that several European governments say they were not informed in advance of Trump’s Iran plans and have 'no interest' in joining what they view as a potentially protracted war, with Germany’s defense minister saying Washington has 'no exit strategy.'
- Quotes Rubio saying that 'very little of our energy comes through the Strait of Hormuz' and arguing that 'the world' should step up because it has the greater economic stake.
- Adds that EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas is framing the G7 agenda around de‑escalation in the Middle East and insists the Iran war and Russia’s war on Ukraine are linked.