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France Is Ready to Help Gulf Countries Targeted by Iran
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 2, 2026
2 min readLast updated: April 2, 2026
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Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 2, 2026
2 min readLast updated: April 2, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleFrance’s Foreign Minister Jean‑Noël Barrot stated on March 2, 2026 that France stands ready to assist Gulf countries targeted by Iran, under collective self‑defence. He also criticized U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran for bypassing the U.N. Security Council and called for a political solution to end
PARIS, March 2 (Reuters) - France is ready to help Gulf countries targeted by Iranian retaliatory strikes, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Monday, adding that the Israeli and U.S. initial strikes against Iran should have been debated beforehand at the United Nations.
"Regarding more specifically our partners in the region who have been targeted, deliberately aimed at by the Iranian regime, we stand ready to contribute to their defense," Barrot told reporters after chairing a crisis meeting at the Foreign Ministry in Paris.
"Based on their request, in a proportionate manner and in accordance with the principle of collective self-defence provided for under international law," he added.
Referring to Israel and the United States' initial assault on Iran on Saturday, he said their "unilateral strikes" could have gained the legitimacy needed only by going before the U.N. Security Council.
However, he called on Iran to end its attacks and to resign itself to major concessions to achieve a political solution leading to peace in the region.
No French victims have been reported despite a drone attack against a French naval base in Abu Dhabi on Sunday that caused limited damage, according to Barrot.
(Reporting by Gianluca Lo Nostro; Editing by Makini Brice and Barbara Lewis)
France has stated its readiness to help defend Gulf nations targeted by Iranian retaliatory strikes, based on their request and under international law.
France's Foreign Minister said those strikes should have been debated at the United Nations for legitimacy.
No French victims were reported despite a drone attack on a French naval base in Abu Dhabi, which caused only limited damage.
France will act in accordance with the principle of collective self-defense under international law.
France urged Iran to end its attacks and negotiate major concessions for a peaceful solution in the region.
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