Amid the conflict between the U.S, Israel, and Iran—which has escalated into a regional war in the Middle East—the French Republic confirmed the deployment of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to the Eastern Mediterranean. The decision was announced by President Emmanuel Macron, who said that the ship—together with its embarked air assets and a frigate escort—was ordered to head toward the region as part of a military escalation already affecting global security and international trade.
Macron addressed the French nation on Tuesday, March 3 at 8:00 p.m. to discuss the situation in Iran and the wider Middle East. In his message, he stated that “the Islamic Republic of Iran bears the primary responsibility for this situation,” while pointing to the development of what he described as a dangerous nuclear program, unprecedented ballistic capabilities, and threats to international security—particularly toward Israel.
Macron said that the United States and Israel had launched military operations against Iran outside international law, something France “cannot approve,” while stressing that the crisis is unfolding amid stalled diplomatic negotiations. He also stated that the strikes would continue in the coming days with the aim of weakening Iran’s ability to respond, while reprisals by Tehran are expected across different parts of the region.
In that context, the president said his responsibility is to protect national territory, ensure the security of French citizens, and defend the national interest. He confirmed that security had been reinforced at French military bases in the region, two of which were hit by limited attacks that caused material damage, and that protection measures had been increased at embassies and strategic facilities.
He also reported that around 400,000 French citizens are in the region—either residing there or in transit—and that repatriation efforts were being organized in coordination with local authorities. “We are organizing, in good order, the return of our compatriots who wish to do so, beginning with the most vulnerable,” he said, adding that the first two flights would arrive in Paris that same night.
France also activated defense commitments with countries such as Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates, while maintaining coordination with Jordan and Iraq. According to Macron, French forces shot down drones in self-defense to protect allied airspace and deployed Rafale fighters, air-defense systems, and airborne radars in recent hours.
In parallel, the president confirmed the dispatch of additional air-defense assets and the frigate Languedoc to the vicinity of Cyprus following recent attacks that affected that European Union member state. He also warned about the economic impact of the war, noting that the Strait of Hormuz is effectively closed—jeopardizing roughly 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas traffic—alongside tensions affecting the Suez Canal and the Red Sea.
Current status of the aircraft carrier
The order for the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to head to the Mediterranean comes after the ship was involved in an incident in the Baltic Sea during a stopover at the Swedish port of Malmö. According to Swedish public broadcaster SVT, a drone allegedly linked to Russia was detected monitoring the carrier’s presence after reportedly being launched from a Russian military vessel near the Øresund Strait. The Swedish Armed Forces said they activated countermeasures to disrupt the drone and later lost contact with it, without specifying its exact origin or final destination.
After this Baltic incident, the conflict in the Middle East erupted—and the question became: what would France do? It is worth noting that the La Fayette 26 deployment plan included operations in the North Atlantic and the Baltic Sea, followed by a later transit to the Mediterranean. In other words, Charles de Gaulle’s presence in the Mediterranean appeared to be part of the planned itinerary, and not necessarily an immediate reaction to a specific contingency—although the carrier’s deployment to the region has now been confirmed.
Increase in nuclear capabilities
Lastly, it is worth highlighting that, at the same time as the attacks were unfolding in the Middle East, Emmanuel Macron announced that France would increase its nuclear capabilities by expanding the number of nuclear warheads. He also stated that France will stop publishing the exact quantities it possesses.
This situation shows how tensions in Europe have gradually increased over time following Russia’s intervention in Ukraine, and now with the conflict in the Middle East—which is even more delicate given its impact on global trade and the industries of numerous countries—this rearmament trend is deepening.
Cover image obtained from the French Carrier Strike Group.
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