Foreign Relations

France-Saudi Task Force Weighs Omani Ports, Pipelines and Rail Around Hormuz

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Courtroom-sketch editorial illustration of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and French President Emmanuel Macron greeting each other outside a stone-columned official building, with a uniformed guard and French flag behind them, drawn in warm ochre and slate-blue chalk and pastel strokes with cross-hatching on sepia newsprint.

France and Saudi Arabia have formed a joint task force to identify energy and logistics links between the Middle East and Europe as Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupts trade. French presidency officials said options include routing more commerce through Omani ports outside the Persian Gulf, expanding or doubling Saudi and regional pipelines, and developing new rail links. The task force is due to meet at ministerial level Monday to identify strategic projects, financing and roles for French companies. President Emmanuel Macron and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman are expected to discuss the work during the crown prince’s two-day Paris visit beginning Sunday.

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