MBS Visits Paris to Discuss Hormuz-Bypass Pipeline Routes With Macron

MBS began a two-day visit to Paris, welcomed by President Emmanuel Macron, with bilateral deals on energy, transport, technology and health due to be signed Monday under the Franco-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council. Talks centered on diversifying export routes around the Strait of Hormuz — effectively closed to commercial shipping since Iran shut it during the 2026 war, with only a handful of ships transiting daily versus roughly 100 pre-war. Discussions covered expanding Saudi Aramco's East-West Pipeline (Abqaiq–Yanbu) capacity and alternative pipeline, port and rail projects, with a Macron adviser calling the work with Saudi Arabia 'quite advanced.'