France, March 27 -- Rubio will spend most of Friday in talks near Versailles, south-west of Paris, in what will be his first trip abroad since Washington joined Israel in launching strikes against Iran on 28 February.

Hosted by France - which holds the rotating G7 presidency - the meeting in Cernay-la-Ville will bring together foreign ministers from the UK, Canada, Germany, Italy and Japan alongside their US counterpart.

G7 allies are expected to press Rubio for clarity on Washington's next steps in Iran, reflecting growing unease among partners nearly a month into the conflict.

The other G7 ministers began the talks without Rubio on Thursday.

The meeting comes as the closure of key shipping routes through the Strait of Horm...