Gowain: Full Support for Kuwait's and Gulf States' Security and Sovereignty

Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, France is intensifying its diplomatic efforts to avoid further escalation, reaffirming its support for its Gulf partners, foremost among them Kuwait, and its commitment to dialogue as the primary path to sustainable solutions. In this context, French Ambassador to Kuwait Olivier Goffan, in an interview with Al-Nahar, outlined the contours of France’s role in managing the crisis, Paris’s efforts to de-escalate, its stance on navigation security in the Strait of Hormuz, and its perspective on addressing Iranian threats. He emphasized that France continues its diplomatic maneuvers to contain rising tensions in the Middle East, stressing Paris’s firm commitment to dialogue as the essential route to stability. He clarified that France supports its Gulf partners, particularly Kuwait, and works to protect international navigation, especially in the Strait of Hormuz, calling for its reopening in accordance with international law. He noted that French President Emmanuel Macron held communications with several leaders, including Iranian Masoud Pezeshkian and American Donald Trump, to enhance de-escalation and resume negotiations. Goffan affirmed that France, in cooperation with its partners, is working on preparing an international defensive mission to secure navigation, while stressing that diplomatic solutions remain the optimal choice to ensure regional stability. The interview covers the following details:

- How do you assess France’s current role in managing escalating tensions in the Middle East?

Since the beginning of the crisis, France has been working to protect its nationals in the region, support its Gulf partners, particularly Kuwait, while continuing its vigorous efforts to promote dialogue, reduce tensions, and achieve political settlements to conflicts. Our partners trust France as a state committed to peace, characterized by reliability and clarity in its positions. Our actions aim to restore regional stability and enhance collective security. It is imperative today for all parties to strictly adhere to a ceasefire, including in Lebanon. The Strait of Hormuz must also be reopened unconditionally and in accordance with international law.

- What are the key diplomatic initiatives led by France to contain tensions?

France has intensified its diplomatic communications at the highest levels since the beginning of the crisis to strengthen the political track. In recent days, French President Emmanuel Macron held communications with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, as well as with US President Donald Trump. France has also called for the resumption of negotiations that halted in Islamabad, aiming to dispel misunderstandings and prevent any new escalation. During the war, amid escalating attacks on civilian infrastructure, particularly in the energy sector, France called for an end to targeting these facilities to protect civilians and ensure the continuity of vital supplies. Additionally, France, in cooperation with the United Kingdom, is organizing a virtual meeting of states not involved in the conflict to prepare for a multilateral defensive mission to secure navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

- How do you balance diplomatic and military action in France’s policy toward the region?

France believes that permanent solutions to regional crises can only be achieved through negotiation. At the same time, it supports the right of states facing unjustified attacks to defend their territories and protect their populations, reaffirming its full support for the security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of its partners, foremost among them Kuwait. This comes within the framework of the Defense Agreement signed between France and Kuwait in 1992 and updated in 2009, which enables France to provide defensive support when needed.

France possesses advanced capabilities that enable it to intervene quickly and effectively, while carefully refraining from disclosing deployment details to safeguard operational security. We appreciate the heroic role played by the Kuwaiti Armed Forces, security agencies, and civil defense during the crisis. Al-Malaha: What is France’s position on securing navigation in the Strait of Hormuz? France attaches great importance to freedom of navigation as a fundamental principle of international law. The Strait of Hormuz is a global strategic waterway, and any prolonged disruption of shipping through it would have serious repercussions for the global economy, particularly on energy supplies. From this standpoint, France is working with its partners, especially the United Kingdom, to prepare a multilateral mission of a purely defensive nature to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels. France is not seeking military escalation; rather, it favors diplomatic solutions, in coordination with Kuwait and Gulf states, to de-escalate tensions. How do you assess Iranian threats? Are diplomatic solutions still feasible? France has strongly condemned the attacks carried out by Iran and its allies against civilians and critical infrastructure in several countries in the region, considering them a serious threat to regional and international security. France is addressing these threats through two parallel tracks: supporting the security of its partners and intensifying diplomatic efforts to achieve a lasting resolution. Since 2018, Paris has called for a comprehensive approach to the Iranian file, encompassing its nuclear program, missile capabilities, and regional policies. France believes that diplomatic solutions remain possible and are, in fact, the best option for ensuring long-term stability in the region.