French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan al Saud in Riyadh on Thursday, 30/04/2026.
France, Saudi Arabia call for lasting political settlement
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- French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot met with Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan in Riyadh to discuss regional stability.
- France demanded the "unconditional and immediate" reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and pledged military support for Saudi defense if needed.
French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, held high-level talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan al Saud in Riyadh on Thursday.
The meeting focused on consolidating fragile ceasefires in Iran and Lebanon and charting a path toward a permanent regional peace settlement.
In a formal statement released by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MFA) on April 30, 2026, Barrot reiterated France’s "very strong condemnation" of Iranian attacks on its neighbors.
He reaffirmed Paris's unwavering solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, stating that France remains ready to contribute to the Kingdom's defense "should circumstances again require it."
Battle for maritime security
A central theme of the discussions was the ongoing crisis in the Strait of Hormuz. France called for the "unconditional, unrestricted, and immediate" reopening of the strategic waterway, which has seen significant disruptions during the recent escalation of hostilities.
Minister Barrot highlighted France’s willingness to guarantee freedom of navigation through a joint Franco-British initiative.
This maritime security commitment aims to ensure that international trade routes remain open despite the regional volatility.
Unified front on Iran’s nuclear ambitions
Both ministers emphasized that a diplomatic solution remains essential to ensure that Iran never acquires nuclear weapons. Beyond the nuclear file, the two leaders expressed the need to address:
Ballistic and drone programs: Curbing the proliferation of long-range strike capabilities.
Destabilization activities: Countering regional proxy influence.
Lebanese Sovereignty: Supporting the Lebanese State against internal and external forces that challenge its sovereignty.
Regional Coordination
The statement concluded by stressing the importance of the Lebanese ceasefire, noting that it "must be fully observed by all parties." Barrot and Bin Farhan pledged to maintain "close coordination" to support ongoing diplomatic efforts and stabilize the Middle East.
The Riyadh meeting is seen as a key step in aligning European and Gulf perspectives as the international community seeks to turn temporary ceasefires into a comprehensive regional security framework.
