France is shifting its military posture as the war in the Middle East widens.
President Emmanuel Macron has ordered the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to move from the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean to help protect allied assets, according to the Associated Press.
In a prerecorded address on French television, Macron said the carrier would be escorted by frigates and supported by its air wing. He confirmed that Rafale fighter jets, air-defense systems and airborne radar platforms have already been deployed to the region.
“And we will continue this effort as much as necessary,” Macron said.
France, the United Kingdom and Germany have previously said they were not involved in the US and Israeli strikes on Iran that began late last week. However, Macron made clear that Paris is prepared to take defensive action.
French forces shot down drones “in legitimate self-defense in the very first hours of the conflict, to defend the airspace of our allies, who know they can rely on us,” Macron said. He did not elaborate on operational details.
Explaining the need to reposition the carrier group, Macron cited a strike on a British air force base in Cyprus. Cyprus is a European Union member state with which France recently signed a strategic partnership.
“This requires our support,” he said.
Macron noted that France has defense agreements with Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, as well as strong commitments to Jordan and Iraq.
As the conflict spreads, including into Lebanon, Macron criticized Hezbollah for what he called “the grave mistake of striking Israel” and putting Lebanese civilians at risk. At the same time, he warned Israel against launching a ground operation in Lebanon.
“This, too, would be a dangerous escalation and a strategic error,” Macron said. “Hezbollah must imperatively cease all strikes, and I call on Israel to respect Lebanese territory and its integrity.”
Reflecting France’s traditional support for a rules-based international order, Macron said France “cannot approve” of the strikes by Israel and the United States on Iran because they were carried out outside the framework of international law.
He added that it would be “desirable” to end the strikes as quickly as possible and resume diplomatic negotiations.
“And I also wish here to express the hope that the Iranian people may themselves freely decide their own destiny,” Macron said.
Still, he placed responsibility for the crisis on Tehran.
“It is Iran that developed a dangerous nuclear program and unprecedented ballistic capabilities; that armed and financed terrorist groups in neighboring countries,” he said, citing Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, Shiite militias in Iraq and support for Hamas.
With inputs from Associated Press
