Macron Secures More Gulf Diesel Supplies as France Faces High Prices

France has secured commitments for an additional 200,000 tonnes of diesel per month from the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain as President Emmanuel Macron seeks to strengthen fuel supplies amid soaring energy prices linked to the US-Iran war. The French presidency announced the agreements on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, ahead of Macron's arrival in Qatar during a three-day tour of Gulf countries.

The UAE has pledged approximately 100,000 tonnes of diesel monthly, while Bahrain is expected to provide another 100,000 tonnes, according to the French presidency. Including existing commitments from Saudi Arabia, France has secured supplies totaling 295,000 tonnes per month, equivalent to just over 10 percent of its diesel consumption.

The diplomatic mission also comes after violent protests over the rising cost of living swept France during the weekend. The government has separately released 10 million barrels of diesel from national reserves in an effort to reduce prices by 12 to 18 cents per liter, or approximately 5 to 8 percent, starting next month.

Patrick Pouyanne, head of TotalEnergies, who is accompanying Macron on the Gulf tour, said the new supply agreements should ease concerns about fuel availability.

“We are not going to run out of diesel in February,” said Patrick Pouyanne, head of TotalEnergies, according to AFP.

Kuwait has also made firm commitments to supply diesel and kerosene to France's overseas territories of Mayotte and Reunion in the Indian Ocean, the French presidency said. The shipments are expected to travel through Oman to avoid the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for energy exports from the Gulf.

Iran's blockade of the strait has driven crude oil prices higher during the eight-month conflict, with diesel among the fuels most severely affected. The disruption has increased pressure on governments to secure alternative supply arrangements.

Andreas Krieg, a professor at the School of Security Studies at King's College London, said the agreements reflect broader efforts by Gulf countries to strengthen their relationships with European governments. He noted that Gulf delegations had visited London, Paris, Berlin and Rome in recent months to pursue access to military facilities and potential stakes in European defense companies.

“They see a growing entanglement between their interests and European interests,” said Andreas Krieg, a professor at the School of Security Studies at King's College London.

Krieg said this growing alignment extends beyond energy cooperation.

“Not just in the energy field,” Krieg said, referring to the broader relationship, including supply chains.

He added that pressure from the United States, which he described as increasingly sidelining both Gulf states and European countries, was creating opportunities for them to reduce their dependence on Washington.

Macron's agenda in Qatar includes discussions on security, defense, energy supplies and artificial intelligence, according to Sheikha Alanoud Hamad Saud Al Thani, a political analyst and fellow at the Middle East Council for Global Affairs.

Sheikha Alanoud said Qatar places significant value on its relationship with France, which has one of the Gulf state's longest-standing defense partnerships.

“It comes as no surprise that the French are one of Qatar's most important friends in Europe,” said Sheikha Alanoud Hamad Saud Al Thani, describing Macron's visit as highly consequential.

She said Qatar was using established partnerships to respond to changing security challenges, particularly in military technology and defense capabilities.

“[Qatar is] leveraging existing relationships to adapt to this new kind of asymmetrical warfare, and we're looking to see advancements in anti-drone and defense capabilities,” said Sheikha Alanoud.