The key facts
- France received from Qatar guarantees of 2 TWh of LNG per month for the winter, and from the UAE and Bahrain 100,000 tonnes of diesel per month each
- Macron called for 'extreme caution' and expects Iran's response on talks with the US in the coming days
- The tour included Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar and an unexpected visit to Saudi Arabia
Energy supply guarantees
French President Emmanuel Macron announced in Doha that France has received from Qatar guarantees of LNG supplies for the winter period — 'the equivalent of two terawatt-hours per month,' which, according to him, will help ease pressure on prices 'from November' and avoid the shortfalls that some energy operators had forecast. The statement came against the backdrop of protests in France over the rising cost of living: the past weekend was marked by riots and looting, authorities imposed a curfew, and new demonstrations are expected on Saturday. According to The National, France had earlier secured commitments from Bahrain and the UAE to supply an additional 100,000 tonnes of diesel per month to each country; together with additional supplies from Saudi Arabia, this amounts to about 295,000 tonnes per month — just over 10% of France's usual diesel consumption. Macron noted that the priority needs were diesel (UAE and Bahrain) and then gas (Qatar). According to euronews, European diesel is trading at nearly $200 per barrel amid the war with Iran and Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries; the IEA earlier urged participants to accelerate the announced releases of diesel stocks.
Context: the Strait of Hormuz blockade and the Houthis
According to The National, Iran's effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz after US and Israeli strikes in February disrupted global energy supplies and fuelled inflation. Saudi Arabia is rerouting oil to Red Sea ports, but Houthi threats to shipping in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait have created a second potential chokepoint. This month the Houthis attacked Riyadh's main airport: 17 killed, more than 300 wounded, and operations fully halted; 20 strikes since early October. Macron said France has sent personnel and resources to Saudi Arabia: 'We stand alongside Saudi Arabia in ensuring its security and defence,' adding that over eight days French forces have been helping to secure and restore the oil pipeline to the port of Yanbu. He also said talks with the Houthis should be resumed. According to euronews, after Qatar Macron made an unexpected stop in Saudi Arabia as a sign of support for Riyadh's fight against the Houthis.
US–Iran talks and the call for caution
Macron called for 'extreme caution,' noting that the period is complicated by elections in Israel and the US midterms. He said he discussed mediation efforts in detail with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim and that 'in the coming hours or days we will receive Iran's response' on talks with the US. According to The National, Washington and Tehran have not yet reached a durable peace agreement; in recent weeks they have exchanged proposals to end the war and reopen the strait, but talks have not resumed. Macron said France has maintained contact with both sides and proposed a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz through international and Omani waters: 'Our proposal remains on the table.' He also noted that the main difficulty now is the tenfold rise in shipping costs due to a shortage of insured vessels, and that France and the Gulf countries are working to diversify infrastructure and reduce dependence on the strait.
Defence and bilateral cooperation
Macron met with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim at Lusail Palace on Tuesday; the sides discussed bilateral ties, especially the economy, investment, security and defence. According to euronews, France announced new agreements on continued supplies to Qatar of fifth-generation Rafale fighter jets, radars, air defence systems and armoured vehicles; Qatar Air Force jets escorted Macron's plane on arrival. Earlier in Abu Dhabi, Macron met with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed: the countries exchanged a framework document on a strategic defence partnership and signed agreements on energy, AI and advanced technologies, including an intergovernmental agreement on the Dassault Rafale F5 standard. The tour began on Monday in Kuwait, where documents were signed on defence, civil aviation, AI, investment, healthcare and academic cooperation; Macron then visited Bahrain, where he met with King Hamad. The Qatari side called the visit 'historic'; according to Qatar News Agency, more than 665 French companies operate in Qatar, and trade turnover in 2025 amounted to about 6.39 billion riyals. Macron was accompanied by the heads of TotalEnergies and Engie; TotalEnergies is a partner of QatarEnergy in the North Field East expansion project — one of the largest gas projects in the world.
