Saudi Arabia expects new US strikes on Iran within 48 hours, French minister ends Gulf visit
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot concluded a visit to Gulf monarchies on Friday, May 1, aimed at preparing for a post-war scenario, as Saudi Arabia expects renewed US strikes on Iranian civilian infrastructure within 48 hours. Tehran has warned such strikes, which President Trump threatened in late March, would trigger retaliation against Gulf states. The visit came amid a fragile ceasefire of nearly 30 days and stalled US-Iran negotiations.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot concluded a visit to Gulf monarchies on Friday, May 1, aimed at preparing for a post-war scenario, as Saudi Arabia expects renewed US strikes on Iranian civilian infrastructure within the next 48 hours.
President Donald Trump threatened such strikes in late March. Tehran has warned that any such bombardment would trigger retaliation of the same nature against Gulf states.
The visit came as a fragile ceasefire of nearly 30 days holds and US-Iran negotiations remain stalled. France sought to influence the talks, but coordinating a response between European countries and Gulf states has proven difficult.
European countries are concerned about the colossal economic cost of a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz on their economies. Gulf states are directly affected by the blockade but refuse to engage in dialogue with Iran.
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