Finance leaders from the Group of 20 major economies open talks Monday at a US-hosted gathering, with the Trump administration seeking to escalate economic pressure on Iran amid a renewed exchange of fire with Tehran.
The gathering of G20 finance ministers and central bank governors takes place through Tuesday in the Blue Ridge Mountains city of Asheville, North Carolina.
But the first exchange of attacks for a month between the United States and Iran in the Middle East loomed over the meetings as leaders convene early Monday.
Also clouding the talks are Trump's tightening of trade barriers and questions on whether the grouping can still work together to address big economic challenges.
Shortly before talks opened, the European Union urged "continued diplomatic efforts" to reach a peace settlement in the Middle East war, which has also seen Tehran virtually block off the Strait of Hormuz.
