France is deploying more than a dozen naval vessels, including aircraft carrier strike groups, to the Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, and possibly the Strait of Hormuz, as part of actions to provide defensive support to allies threatened in the Middle East conflicts.
French President Emmanuel Macron inspected the French aircraft carrier “Charles de Gaulle,” which arrived in the Eastern Mediterranean over the weekend. He delivered a speech in Cyprus on Monday (March 9), attempting to reassure the Cypriot President after unmanned drones attempted to attack the island nation last week and were intercepted.
Macron met with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Paphos and stated, “When Cyprus is attacked, Europe is also under attack.”
Since the United States and Israel conducted joint strikes against Iran, followed by Iran attacking commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz and its surrounding waters, this critical Middle Eastern maritime route has been significantly affected. Oil prices have surged to over $100 per barrel, and European countries are working to address how to protect their own interests.
Macron said in his speech on Monday, “Our goal is to maintain a strict defensive position, stand with all the countries attacked in retaliatory actions in Iran to ensure our credibility and contribute to de-escalating conflicts in the region. Ultimately, our goal is to safeguard freedom of navigation and maritime security.”
The European Union’s main naval operation in the region is Operation “Aspides” (meaning “shields” in Greek). Launched in early 2024 in the Red Sea, it aims to protect ships from attacks by the Houthi armed group allied with Iran. After the Houthis attacked Israel following a raid by the Palestinian extremist group Hamas, sparking the Gaza War, they continued to target Red Sea commercial ships, claiming it was in support of Hamas.
Macron stated that the French Navy has already provided one warship for Operation “Aspides,” which will increase to two in the future. In total, eight warships, an aircraft carrier strike group, and two helicopter carriers will be deployed to the region.
He also mentioned that the deployment of these vessels may ultimately include the Strait of Hormuz to support the passage of commercial ships.
“We are establishing a purely defensive and escort mission that must be prepared jointly with European and non-European countries. The purpose is to provide escort to container ships and oil tankers as soon as possible after the most intense phase of the conflict is over, gradually reopening the Strait of Hormuz,” Macron said.
(References: Reuters)