{
  "id": 2771701,
  "title": "France's Macron and Saudi Crown Prince to discuss oil pipelines to by-pass Strait of Hormuz",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/frances-macron-and-saudi-crown-prince-to-discuss-oil-pipelines-to-by",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-23T10:42:28.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/europe/2026/08/23/frances-macron-and-saudi-crown-prince-to-discuss-oil-pipelines-to-by-pass-strait-of-hormuz/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "Expanding existing oil pipelines as an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz will be a major focus of talks on Monday in Paris between French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, French sources have said. Global oil export routes have been reshaped by Iran's effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz after the US and Israel launched their war on the country in…",
  "key_points": [
    "French President Macron to meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman in Paris",
    "Discuss expansion of oil pipelines to bypass Strait of Hormuz",
    "Iran effectively closed the narrow waterway, affecting 20% of global crude oil"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "RFI English",
        "title": "Saudi crown prince heads to France as Paris seeks closer Gulf ties",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/saudi-crown-prince-heads-to-france-as-paris-seeks-closer-gulf-ties",
        "published": "2026-08-23T07:05:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "Emmanuel Macron welcomes Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for two-day Paris visit",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/emmanuel-macron-welcomes-saudi-crown-prince-mohammed-bin-salman-for",
        "published": "2026-08-23T07:28:51.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "title": "France's Macron and Saudi Crown Prince to discuss oil pipelines to by-pass Strait of Hormuz",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/frances-macron-and-saudi-crown-prince-to-discuss-oil-pipelines-to-by-2772333",
        "published": "2026-08-23T10:42:28.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Egypt Independent",
        "title": "A closer look at the Strait of Hormuz after Iran issues new threat",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/a-closer-look-at-the-strait-of-hormuz-after-iran-issues-new-threat",
        "published": "2026-08-23T12:53:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}