France Signals Readiness to Back Gulf Allies Amid Iran Crisis
"I said yesterday, and what the president of the republic reiterated, is that France stands ready to defend its partners at their request, in a proportionate manner, and obviously in accordance with the principles of collective self-defense, which is a principle of international law," Barrot told media.
Barrot was careful to draw a clear distinction, emphasizing that Paris does not consider itself a direct participant in the conflict triggered by Israeli and American strikes on Iran and Tehran's retaliatory response that followed.
A drone strike on a hangar at a French military installation in the United Arab Emirates added further complexity to the situation. Barrot stopped short of assigning blame, saying: "We cannot have the certainty that France was explicitly targeted." He cautioned against snap judgments, adding: "The situation is serious enough not to rush to conclusions."
French Rafale fighter jets based in the UAE have since conducted airspace security patrols above French installations. Barrot confirmed the sorties were deployed "to ensure the security of our installations." He also noted that Paris holds active defense agreements with the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait, with "exchanges are very frequent, at all levels, diplomatic and military."
With roughly 400,000 French nationals spread across approximately a dozen countries caught in the regional crisis — among them both permanent residents and short-term visitors — the stakes for France extend well beyond military posturing.
Macron's 'Advanced Deterrence'
The foreign minister then turned to France's evolving nuclear doctrine, characterizing President Macron's recent address as "a historic speech" that represented "a new step in our deterrence, which is a national treasure and will remain independent and French from beginning to end."
Barrot reaffirmed the exclusivity of presidential authority over nuclear decisions: "The assessment of our vital interests belongs solely to the president of the republic."
France intends to expand its nuclear arsenal while simultaneously exploring new cooperative frameworks with European allies under what Macron has branded "advanced deterrence." Barrot outlined one possibility, suggesting: "Conceivably, nuclear weapons could be located in Germany, for example, or at least military capabilities could be dispersed in such a way as to complicate an adversary's calculations."
Yet he was unambiguous that the trigger would never leave French hands. "If one day Germany were to say, 'We are under threat, we must activate the bomb,' we could still say no," Barrot stated. "It is the president of the republic who will sovereignly determine whether France's vital interests are concerned."
He closed on a point of financial sovereignty as well: "This deterrence will remain entirely financed by France."
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