France eyes Syria as alternative oil route to Hormuz
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Thursday that France is considering using Syria as a possible alternative passageway to the Strait of Hormuz for transporting Gulf oil, given renewed US-Iran hostilities.
“Among all the efforts we have made since the start of this crisis, there is the idea of preparing alternative routes so that we are not so dependent on blockages here or there,” he explained in an interview with French network TF1.
This follows French President Macron’s visit to Syria earlier this week, where he spoke of enhancing cooperation with President al-Sharaa’s government.
France's President Emmanuel Macron (L) and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa give a joint press conference in Damascus on 7 July 2026 (Ludovic Marin/AFP)