Iran war: Macron orders France’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to the Mediterranean
Rafale fighter jets, air-defence systems and airborne radar systems have also been deployed in the Middle East
French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday ordered France’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to move from the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean to help protect allied assets during the war in the Middle East.
Macron said the Charles de Gaulle carrier will be escorted by frigates and its air wing. In a pre-recorded speech on French television, Macron added that Rafale fighter jets, air-defence systems and airborne radar systems have been deployed over the past few hours in the Middle East.
“And we will continue this effort as much as necessary,” Macron said.
France, the UK and Germany have previously said that they were not involved in the strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel that began late last week but were prepared to take defensive action to destroy Iran’s capability to fire missiles and drones.
Macron, however, said that French forces had shot down drones “in legitimate self-defence in the very first hours of the conflict, to defend the airspace of our allies, who know they can rely on us”. He did not elaborate.
In explaining the need to move France’s aircraft carrier, Macron cited Monday’s strike on a British air force base on Cyprus, adding that Cyprus was a member of the European Union with which France has recently signed a strategic partnership.