France's Macron and Saudi Crown Prince to discuss oil pipelines to by-pass Strait of Hormuz

French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman are set to discuss the potential expansion of oil pipelines as an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz during a visit to Paris on Monday. The talks come after Iran effectively closed the narrow waterway following the US and Israel's war on Iran in February, with about 20 percent of global crude oil previously shipped through the Strait.

Macron's adviser highlighted the urgency of finding alternative routes, stating that there are options for bypassing the usual routes via alternative port networks, including existing projects involving pipelines in Saudi Arabia. The Crown Prince began his two-day visit to Paris on Sunday night by co-hosting the closing ceremony of the Esports World Cup, marking the first time the event is held outside Saudi Arabia.

The bilateral meetings and business forum on Monday will primarily focus on the Iran war and its regional repercussions, with the Iran-US peace talks currently in limbo. Saudi Aramco, the world's largest oil-exporting company, is studying an expansion of its East-West pipeline and the establishment of new export routes, with alternative routes including the Sumed pipeline and the UAE's Habshan–Fujairah pipeline.

France and the UK have led efforts in coordinating diplomatic initiatives in the Gulf to de-escalate tension, with Oman's leader visiting Paris and London recently to hold talks on securing maritime routes.