US expects to end operation in weeks, says Marco Rubio; G7 foreign ministers call for attacks on civilians to stop, toll-free navigation in Strait of Hormuz; Israel attacks Iranian nuclear facilities

The foreign ministers of the G7 group of nations called on Friday for an immediate stop to attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure in the Iran war.

In a joint statement agreed on the second day of a G7 meeting in France – this year’s host country – the ministers said they had underscored the importance of minimising the impact of the conflict on regional partners, civilian populations and critical infrastructure.

“We focused on the value of diverse partnerships, coordination, and supporting initiatives, including to mitigate global economic shocks such as disruptions to economic, energy, fertiliser and commercial supply chains, which have direct impacts on our citizens,” they said in the statement.

The ministers also reiterated the “absolute necessity to permanently restore safe and toll-free freedom of navigation” in the Strait of Hormuz.

The G7 members are the United States, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan, along with the European Union.