France secures Gulf diesel commitments of 295,000 tonnes a month as Macron visits Riyadh

21 October 2026

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Riyadh on 21 October 2026 on a visit the French presidency described as one of solidarity, and met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the al-Yamamah Palace. The Elysee Palace told AFP that Saudi Arabia agreed to supply extra diesel to France for as many months as necessary. The Saudi Press Agency reported that the two discussed regional and international developments and coordinated efforts on security and stability. On the same Gulf tour the United Arab Emirates committed about 100,000 tonnes a month and another 100,000 tonnes a month is to be secured in Bahrain, taking France's commitments to 295,000 tonnes a month, just over 10 per cent of its consumption. Under an earlier agreement France is sending military assets to Saudi Arabia to help protect the Red Sea port of Yanbu, and the United Kingdom announced fighter jets for Saudi Arabia; both countries describe their support as purely defensive. The French presidency linked the tour to securing and diversifying hydrocarbon supplies as energy prices rose during the war on Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.