France is considering Syria as an alternative route for transporting oil from the Gulf region, according to Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot. In an interview with French television network TF1 on July 9, 2026, Barrot said that following recent retaliatory attacks between the United States and Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, ensuring reliable global energy supply requires developing diversified energy corridors and backup routes.

Barrot emphasized that France has been working to prepare alternative routes to avoid dependence on any single corridor that could be blocked or disrupted. His remarks come shortly after French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Syria, where he discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation with Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara’s government.

The consideration of Syria as a potential energy route reflects France’s broader strategy to secure energy supply chains amid rising geopolitical instability in the Gulf region.