In many areas, the political differences between leaders are widespread - trade protectionism and climate change are some of them. And around Iran, there is still a long way to go for a consensus on the nuclear agreement and the sanctions that the United States has imposed on the country.

"We had a discussion yesterday about Iran and that led to the establishment of two common lines: No G7 member wants Iran to have nuclear weapons and all G7 members want stability and peace in the region," says Macron, who emphasizes that he does not have any formal mandate from the G7 countries regarding talks with Tehran.

Lightning visit from Iran

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarig arrived by plane to Biarritz for a lightning visit on Sunday following an invitation from his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian.

Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif met, among others, French President Emmanuel Macron and French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on Sunday. Photo: AFP

According to a spokesman from French authorities, Zarif attended meetings for three and a half hours, including 30 minutes with Macron, before leaving the country again on Sunday evening.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel pointed out that the French meeting with Zarif took place outside the framework of the G7 meeting but said:

"It is absolutely right to explore all possibilities" and pointed out that it was good for Iran to hear what was discussed between world leaders on Saturday.

Reports on cracks

Reports have also emerged of cracks between the leaders during the ongoing G7 meeting, something that US President Donald Trump dismissed during Sunday morning.

When the meeting kicked off on his second day in French Biarritz, Trump said he agreed well with his allies and on the question of whether the other leaders have criticized the US-China trade war:

- No not at all. I haven't heard.

"Get along well"

However, political differences in how to look at trade protection, climate change and Iran have darkened the stakes for the meetings in Biarritz.

Trump himself arrived in France just hours after the US-China trade war escalated further - a trade war that worries the world market. The president has also threatened France, the very host of the meetings, with the imposition of duties on French wine "which they have never been to before" if the country does not abandon its digital tax on American technology giants.

Economy, climate and Iran

EU Permanent Council President Donald Tusk, who also participates in the G7 Summit, warned that the EU will respond if Trump realizes his threat.

"This may be the last time to restore our political community," Donald Tusk told reporters in Biarritz on Saturday.

In addition to the economy, the G7 meeting, which runs until Monday, will also deal with the climate and measures to reduce forest fires in the Amazon.