Macron proposes military deployment to Saudi oil terminal to curb rising fuel prices

Military mission to Saudi Arabia

During a 40-minute television interview broadcast on TF1 and France 2 on 24 September 2026, President Emmanuel Macron announced that France plans to send military assets to Saudi Arabia. The mission involves deploying soldiers, radar systems, and air defense equipment to protect the Yanbu oil terminal on the Red Sea. Yanbu has become a critical corridor for petroleum transit while the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked, handling more than 5 million barrels per day until recent missile strikes by pro-Iranian Houthi forces. Macron maintained that the deployment is intended to stabilize global oil supply rather than engage France directly in regional hostilities. In the same broadcast, which drew an average of 8.6 million viewers across both networks, Macron stated that a Russian mobilization of 300,000 troops for the war in Ukraine represents a credible scenario for European defense planning.

March 2025 address15

May 2025 TF1 special5

31 December 2025 address8.9

24 September 2026 interview8.6

March 2025 address

15 million viewers

May 2025 TF1 special

5 million viewers

31 December 2025 address

8.9 million viewers

24 September 2026 interview

8.6 million viewers

Data from the article text

Domestic fuel pressure and tax debates

The security initiative coincides with sharp increases in domestic retail energy prices. On 18 September 2026, SP95-E10 reached 2.15 euros per liter while diesel climbed to 2.38 euros per liter at French pumps. Taxes constitute nearly 60% of consumer fuel prices in France, including standard value-added tax at 20% alongside fixed volume excise duties. While Macron did not rule out lowering fuel taxes if high prices persist, he noted that such cuts reduce revenues needed to fund public services. The government previously announced a 450 million euro relief package, including 100 euro payouts for high-mileage commuting workers. Reducing fuel taxes by 20 euro cents per liter would cost the state budget roughly 1 billion euros each month.

Excise duty0.67

Direct VAT0.22

VAT on excise duty0.13

Excise duty

0.67 €/L

Direct VAT

0.22 €/L

VAT on excise duty

0.13 €/L

Data from the article text

Political backlash in parliament

The proposed mission in Saudi Arabia met immediate criticism from opposition leaders across the political spectrum. La France Insoumise leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon rejected the deployment on social media, questioning what France would do if the base were struck.

“Troops in Saudi Arabia means settling into a theater of war. If the base is struck, what will we do?”

Party lawmaker Clémence Guetté demanded a parliamentary debate on France Inter, arguing that troop deployments to active conflicts require legislative consultation. National Rally vice-president Sébastien Chenu similarly rejected the intervention on BFMTV, stating that France has no mutual defense treaty requiring it to protect Saudi infrastructure. Chenu indicated that his party would vote against any legislative motion endorsing the troop deployment.

European divisions on windfall taxes

The fuel crisis has also divided European Union member states over tax policy and fiscal remedies. While the EU economy grew by 1.1% over the past year, fuel prices climbed 14% across the bloc. Aurore Lalucq, chair of the European Parliament Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, advocates an EU-wide tax on corporate superprofits to fund targeted household assistance. Lalucq observed that countries such as Spain, Italy, Germany, and Austria support such levies, while France has resisted them.

“There is clearly a coalition of countries emerging: Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, therefore governments of very different political stripes, but not France... perhaps to protect TotalEnergie.”

France currently records the highest budget deficit in the eurozone at 5.4% of gross domestic product. Lalucq urged a budget reduction trajectory of 100 to 120 billion euros over five years, contrasting with the 54 billion euro target proposed by the government for 2027.