France, March 2 -- French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Monday that Paris stood in full solidarity with countries caught up in a conflict they "did not choose", after Iran launched strikes across the Gulf in retaliation for US-Israeli attacks over the weekend.

Those earlier strikes reportedly killed Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, marking a dramatic escalation that has sent shockwaves through the region and beyond.

Western powers signal support for US as war spreads after strikes on Iran A broad show of support

Addressing the situation, Barrot stressed France's backing for a wide group of partners - including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Jordan - all of which ...