Macron Backs Saudi Arabia, Condemns Iran as Gulf Tensions Spiral Toward Wider Conflict

Date: March 23, 2026 l By: Dalena Reporters 

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — France has thrown its weight behind Saudi Arabia in the escalating Middle East crisis, with President Emmanuel Macron strongly condemning what he described as repeated Iranian attacks targeting the Kingdom.

The show of support came during a high-level phone call between Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, where both leaders reviewed the rapidly deteriorating security situation in the region and its broader implications.

According to official reports, Macron expressed France’s “solidarity” with Saudi Arabia, firmly denouncing the ongoing strikes and reaffirming Paris’s backing for Riyadh’s efforts to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The diplomatic exchange comes amid a surge in hostilities across the Gulf, where missile and drone attacks have increasingly targeted critical infrastructure, including energy facilities and strategic installations. Analysts warn that the attacks are part of a widening regional confrontation linked to the ongoing Iran-related conflict involving global powers.

Macron also called for restraint, urging all parties to adopt a moratorium on attacks against energy facilities and civilian infrastructure — a move seen as an attempt to prevent further destabilization of global energy markets and civilian harm.

Saudi Arabia has been on high alert in recent weeks following multiple reported interceptions of missiles and drones aimed at key locations. The Kingdom has repeatedly condemned the attacks as violations of international law and threats to both regional stability and global economic security.

Security experts say France’s open support signals growing international alignment with Gulf states amid fears that continued aggression could trigger a broader regional war. The Gulf region remains a critical hub for global oil supply and international trade routes, making any escalation a matter of global concern.

The latest diplomatic development underscores how the Middle East crisis is rapidly evolving beyond localized conflict into a geopolitical flashpoint drawing in major world powers.

As tensions continue to rise, the world watches closely, with increasing concern that without urgent de-escalation, the conflict could spiral into a full-scale regional confrontation with far-reaching global consequences.