Bruno Le Maire fears “a heavy economic impact” in the event of escalation in the Middle East

“Whether it is the events in the Red Sea, whether it is the risks of escalation in the Near and Middle East or even the persistence of the conflict in Ukraine, all these geopolitical events weigh terribly on economic growth,” said the minister. during an exchange with the press, ahead of the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank in Washington.

During the night from Saturday to Sunday, Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles towards Israel, which for its part demanded “all possible sanctions” against Tehran.

This unprecedented attack, dubbed "Honest Promise", was launched in response to a strike attributed to Israel against the Iranian consulate in Damascus on April 1. It raises fears of a regional conflagration, in the midst of the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

“The real economic risks are geopolitical risks”, affirmed Mr. Le Maire for whom the “prospects of growth and prosperity can be shattered by geopolitical realities”.

Earlier Monday, President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that France had carried out "interceptions" of Iranian missiles and drones targeting Israel, and said he wanted to "do everything to avoid conflagration" in the Middle East.

By deciding to “strike Israel” from its soil, Iran caused “a profound rupture” and “what has opened up is very dangerous in terms of reaction,” he said.

On the eve of the IMF's publication of its updated global economic forecasts, a source at Bercy also estimated on Monday that "the geopolitical context is not favorable to growth and confidence."