Today, We, the Leaders of the G7, convened a virtual meeting to address the deepening challenges to our energy security. Facing unprecedented volatility in oil markets - with surging prices threatening economic stability and the well-being of our citizens - we have agreed on decisive, coordinated measures to stabilize immediate energy supplies, shield households and businesses from price shocks, and strengthen the long-term resilience of global energy systems.
We will coordinate maintenance schedules across G7 refineries to prevent simultaneous capacity shutdowns and temporarily increase utilization rates where feasible. We also encourage engagement with countries holding significant refining capacities to boost global production of refined products, particularly diesel, in light of ongoing market pressures in this segment. The G7 requests the IEA to monitor the immediate and full implementation of the March 2026 commitments. In this regard, taking into account commitments that have already been fulfilled, we will implement our commitments with a coordinated release through the IEA of 100 million barrels (MB) to begin immediately over 4 months, including a frontloaded substantial diesel release within the first 20 days by G7 members and partners. We will convene in the context of the IEA in the coming days to discuss the possibility of additional diesel releases as necessary.
We reaffirm our commitment to refrain from export restrictions on energy and energy products between G7 countries and call on all producers to refrain from imposing bans that could exacerbate market tensions.
We invite the IEA to monitor the impact of these measures on energy security and market stability and to monitor implementation of commitments. A follow-up report should be delivered before 20 days, include actionable recommendations to enhance future responses, including stocks replenishment.
We condemn Iran's continued attacks against its regional neighbours and its disruption of international trade, energy security and the global economy. We call for the immediate and full restoration of navigational rights and principles in the Strait of Hormuz and express our determination to redouble our collective efforts to that end. We commend the United States for its efforts to ensure the free flow of commerce through the strait of Hormuz.
We will maintain sanctions against Russia while working with the IEA and global partners to prevent further spillovers into fuel, gas, and other commodity markets.
Our citizens' concerns about energy prices remain a top priority. We will monitor developments closely and stand ready to adjust measures as needed. Today's agreements mark a step toward a more secure, transparent, and resilient energy future.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Greece next week for high-level talks aimed at strengthening cooperation between Athens and Washington on defense, energy and regional security, the State Department confirmed on Thursday.
The visit to Athens will form part of a European trip from October 5 to 8 that will also take Rubio to Iceland and Portugal.
In Greece, Rubio will lead the U.S. delegation at the sixth U.S.-Greece Strategic Dialogue, the main diplomatic framework through which the two countries coordinate cooperation across a range of bilateral and regional issues.
The State Department said the talks will focus on key U.S. administration priorities, including defense cooperation as well as regional and energy security.
Rubio’s visit provides another opportunity for senior officials from the two NATO allies to discuss their expanding strategic relationship at a time of heightened security concerns in the Eastern Mediterranean and the wider region.
Greece and the United States have strengthened their defense relationship in recent years, while energy security has also become an increasingly important part of bilateral cooperation.
Rubio’s European Tour Begins in Iceland
Greece will be the second stop on Rubio’s three-country trip.
The U.S. secretary of state will first travel to Reykjavik, where he is scheduled to meet Icelandic officials for discussions on economic and security cooperation.
After his meetings in Greece, Rubio will continue to Lisbon for talks with Portuguese officials.
According to the State Department, discussions in Portugal will focus on strengthening cooperation in defense, economic affairs and technology.
The three-country tour will run from October 5 through October 8.
Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides, who said he is ready for concessions to pursue the reunification of Cyprus. Credit: Wikimedia Commons / European Parliament / CC BY 2
Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides has rejected Turkey’s support for a two-state solution in Cyprus, saying reunification remains the sole objective of his government.
In a televised address marking the 66th anniversary of the Republic of Cyprus, Christodoulides said his government would continue efforts to restart negotiations while remaining committed to the agreed framework for resolving the Cyprus issue.
Christodoulides Rejects Two-State Solution
The Cypriot president criticized Turkey’s position in favor of a two-state solution, saying it does not contribute to meaningful progress toward resolving the decades-long division of the island.
He said his government remains focused on returning to the negotiating table on the basis of the agreed framework, previous negotiations, United Nations decisions and European Union principles.
Christodoulides said he is prepared to make compromises that serve the goal of ending the occupation and reunifying Cyprus, but rejected moves that would merely create the appearance of progress.
Reunification Remains Sole Objective
Christodoulides said reunification remains the sole objective of his policy on the Cyprus issue.
He described his goal as a solution that would transform the Republic of Cyprus into a modern and sovereign state exercising authority throughout its territory, without Turkish occupying troops or guarantor powers holding intervention rights.
He also said all lawful citizens should enjoy equal rights in a reunified Cyprus that would serve as a common homeland for Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latins.
Ending Occupation a Priority
The President described the continuing occupation as a major threat to Cyprus’ security and future, saying that ending it remains his top priority. He stressed that Cyprus would continue strengthening its National Guard and deterrent capabilities, a policy he described as non-negotiable, while emphasizing that the Republic is not acting against any country but has the right to defend itself against existing security threats.
Despite the continued division of the island, Christodoulides expressed confidence that a settlement remains possible, reiterating his goal of a free, reunified and secure Cyprus where citizens can live without exclusion or discrimination.
Cyprus Talks Remain Focused on the Existing Framework
The comments come as efforts continue to restart formal negotiations on the Cyprus problem.
On September 26, the Presidency reported that Christodoulides said the negotiating acquis and the basis for a Cyprus settlement would not change.
Speaking to the Cypriot diaspora in New York, he said UN Secretary-General António Guterres would continue working toward concrete progress and the resumption of talks.
Christodoulides also said that the five permanent members of the UN Security Council had confirmed that the basis of the Cyprus negotiations and the negotiating acquis would remain in place.
The issue had also been discussed earlier in September. On September 4, Christodoulides said Cyprus was ready to participate in an expanded conference.
He said such a conference could announce the resumption of negotiations from where they had previously stopped, while preserving the negotiating acquis.
A Renewed Push to End the Stalemate
The Cypriot government has continued to describe an end to the long-standing stalemate as a priority.
Following a September 30 meeting of the National Council, Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said Christodoulides had held several meetings with Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman in August and September.
The discussions covered confidence-building measures, as well as the methodology and substance of the Cyprus problem.
Letymbiotis also stressed that the negotiating acquis would not be lost. He said progress in negotiations requires participation from both sides.
Christodoulides’ latest message therefore combines two elements: a stated willingness to make concessions in pursuit of reunification and a refusal, in his words, to accept “artificial progress” in the talks.
British security said they have arrested five men for possessing explosives and preparing for a terrorist attack. The five men were driving three vehicles toward a British air base, RAF Fairford, which houses a large number of U.S. aircraft that have carried out missions over Iran. U.S. President Donald Trump said the suspects had been under investigation by British security for some time and that they were suspected of preparing for a major attack on the base.
As of time of writing, the nationalities of the men have not yet been released. Given the target, and considering they were allegedly under surveillance for some time, the obvious assumption is that they are either Iranian or working for the Iranian government. Again, this is an assumption, not a stated fact.
I suspect that any facilities working with or housing U.S. forces or intelligence agencies have understood the possibility, or even the likelihood, of an Iranian counterattack to U.S. operations outside the Middle East. It’s reasonable to assume Western intelligence would anticipate attacks on friendly targets that would destabilize the U.S. and its allies. After all, these have happened before, most notably on 9/11.
A 9/11-type scenario could include the use of operatives already inside a target nation or the deployment of operatives to a target nation. For Tehran, it would make sense considering the Iranian military is largely unable to counter U.S. attacks with conventional military forces. Such was the operational logic of the 9/11 attacks, whereby al-Qaida inserted dedicated and trained operatives into the U.S. to carry out suicide attacks with hijacked aircraft. I would expect that intelligence and security services in the U.S. and allied countries are aware of this possibility and have focused on detecting and blocking any such operations. It would seem at this moment that at least one such operation was detected and thwarted.
I refer to 9/11 deliberately because I refer to it in the context of Iran’s nuclear program. In recent months, I have written that Iran gave sanctuary to the remnants of al-Qaida precisely because they shared some ideological elements. It was therefore understandable that Tehran developing nuclear capabilities sparked U.S. concern about the possibility of a nuclear 9/11. Clearly, the situation in the U.K. is different, save for the important fact that it appears to involve covert operations in what was seen by the Iranians as an enemy nation.
Lenin said that the purpose of terror is to terrify. Iran is at war with the U.S. and shows no sign of capitulating, and there’s little evidence to suggest it’s interested in reaching a ceasefire on U.S. terms. Given the limits of its military, its only option is to strike at its enemies with covert operations. As the war in Iran started, there were rumors about whether there were already Iranian operatives planted in the United States or elsewhere, and whether they would now be activated. And if the idea of Iranian sleeper cells was discussed outside the classified world, I would expect it was mentioned in the classified world too.
This alleged plot, albeit unsuccessful, seems to indicate the Iranian government is engaging in the only type of counterattack directly against the United States and its allies that it’s capable of doing. This will then be a war fought by intelligence and security services.
The fundamental issue is whether this was the only operation planned and if the only targets were military ones. There’s no reason to believe either is true, especially since the attack was designed to instill terror rather than to militarily defeat the United States. And it’s still possible that those arrested are not connected to Iran, even though I suspect they are. Or perhaps we will wake up tomorrow and find that this was just a misunderstanding, which I highly doubt.
