Foreign

France ‘ready’ to defend Gulf countries, Jordan against Iran

France is “ready” to defend Gulf countries and Jordan against Iran if necessary, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Monday. Iran has launched a series of missile and drone strikes on several Gulf countries, saying it is targeting US bases, after being hit by US-Israeli missiles from Saturday that had killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

By japhet samuel

2 min read 22 views Updated Aug 28, 2026
France is “ready” to defend Gulf countries and Jordan against Iran if necessary, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Monday.

Iran has launched a series of missile and drone strikes on several Gulf countries, saying it is targeting US bases, after being hit by US-Israeli missiles from Saturday that had killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

“To allied countries that have been deliberately targeted by the missiles and drones of the (Iranian) Revolutionary Guards and dragged into a war they did not choose — Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Jordan — France expresses its full support and complete solidarity,” he said.

“It stands ready, in accordance with the agreements that bind it to its partners and with the principle of collective self-defence provided under international law, to take part in their defence,” he said.


Barrot said an estimated 400,000 French citizens were residents or currently visiting countries in and around the Gulf.


France, Germany and the United Kingdom said Sunday they were ready to defend their interests and those of their allies in the Gulf if needed.

“Iran’s reckless attacks have targeted our close allies and are threatening our service personnel and our civilians across the region,” they said in a joint statement.

“We will take steps to defend our interests and those of our allies in the region, potentially through enabling necessary and proportionate defensive action to destroy Iran’s capability to fire missiles and drones at their source,” they added.

Fresh strikes were heard across the Gulf on Monday, including on the cities of Dubai, Doha and Manama, as Iran’s army said it had used 15 cruise missiles in attacks on a US air base in Kuwait and vessels in the Indian Ocean.

Your reaction

Pass it on

Share this story

Social links open in a new tab

Story guide

Understand this story

Summary

France is “ready” to defend Gulf countries and Jordan against Iran if necessary, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Monday. Iran has launched a series of missile and drone strikes on several Gulf countries, saying it is targeting US bases, after being hit by US-Israeli missiles from Saturday that had killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. France is “ready”...

Key takeaways
  • France is “ready” to defend Gulf countries and Jordan against Iran if necessary, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Monday.
  • Iran has launched a series of missile and drone strikes on several Gulf countries, saying it is targeting US bases, after being hit by US-Israeli missiles from Saturday that had killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
  • France is “ready” to defend Gulf countries and Jordan against Iran if necessary, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Monday.Iran has launched a series of missile and drone strikes on several Gulf countries, saying it is targeting US bases, after being hit by US-Israeli missiles from Saturday that had killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.“To allied countries that have been deliberately targeted by the missiles and drones of the (Iranian) Revolutionary Guards and dragged into a war they did not choose — Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Jordan — France expresses its full support and complete solidarity,” he said.“It stands ready, in accordance with the agreements that bind it to its partners and with the principle of collective self-defence provided under international law, to take part in their defence,” he said.Barrot said an estimated 400,000 French citizens were residents or currently visiting countries in and around the Gulf.France, Germany and the United Kingdom said Sunday they were ready to defend their interests and those of their allies in the Gulf if needed.“Iran’s reckless attacks have targeted our close allies and are threatening our service personnel and our civilians across the region,” they said in a joint statement.“We will take steps to defend our interests and those of our allies in the region, potentially through enabling necessary and proportionate defensive action to destroy Iran’s capability to fire missiles and drones at their source,” they added.Fresh strikes were heard across the Gulf on Monday, including on the cities of Dubai, Doha and Manama, as Iran’s army said it had used 15 cruise missiles in attacks on a US air base in Kuwait and vessels in the Indian Ocean.
Article FAQ

What is this story about?

France is “ready” to defend Gulf countries and Jordan against Iran if necessary, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Monday. Iran has launched a series of missile and drone strikes on several Gulf countries, saying it is targeting US bases, after being hit by US-Israeli missiles from Saturday that had killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. France is “ready”...

Who published this story?

Glow 99.1 FM published this story with japhet samuel listed as author.

When was it published?

March 2, 2026

Nigeria Set to Receive Long-Acting HIV Prevention Injection in March

Continue reading

Nigeria Set to Receive Long-Acting HIV Prevention Injection in March

Health · 1 min readRead next

Join the conversation

Comments (0)

No comments yet. Start the conversation.

Keep reading

Tinubu approves Abuja land for ambassadors-designate

Foreign

Tinubu approves Abuja land for ambassadors-designate

Glow FM can confirm that president Bola Tinubu has approved the allocation of plots of land to Nigerian ambassadors and high commissioners-designate in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory minister, Nyesom Wike, disclosed on Wednesday. Wike made the announcement while receiving the envoys on a court

3 min read · 8 views

Crime has no nationality, NiDCOM calls for end to xenophobic attacks

Foreign

Crime has no nationality, NiDCOM calls for end to xenophobic attacks

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission has appealed to the South African government to urgently protect Nigerians and other African migrants amid rising reports of xenophobic attacks, intimidation, and harassment in parts of the country. in a public address on Wednesday signed b

3 min read · 8 views

Reader favourites

  1. 01Portugal to Face Super Eagles ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup212 views
  2. 02SUSPECTED JIHADISTS ATTACK NIAMEY AIRPORT161 views
  3. 03Grammy Awards 2026: Full Winners List, Historic Wins & Major Snubs156 views
  4. 04Iran Threatens US After Trump’s Warning156 views