France is "ready" to defend Gulf countries and Jordan against Iran if necessary, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Monday. 

"To allied countries that have been deliberately targeted by the missiles and drones of the (Iranian) Revolutionary Guards and dragged into a war they did not choose – Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Jordan – France expresses its full support and complete solidarity," he said. "It stands ready... to take part in their defense." 

France, Germany and the United Kingdom said on Sunday they stand ready to defend their interests and those of their allies in the Gulf if necessary.