France sends Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier to the Mediterranean Sea
French President Emmanuel Macron said in a televised address to the nation on 3 March that the country was sending the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to the Mediterranean Sea. According to him, France is also working to form a coalition to help ensure the safety of maritime traffic amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
Macron noted that the situation requires action, as the Strait of Hormuz is closed and shipping routes through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea are under threat due to the escalation of the conflict.
"We have economic interests that need to be protected, because oil prices, gas prices and the situation in international trade have been seriously disrupted by this war," Macron said.
The French president said that France had also sent a frigate to Cyprus and shot down drones in the airspace above its allies in the Persian Gulf. Rafale fighter jets are among the forces involved.
"We have defence agreements that bind us to Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. The latter are under particular threat, and we must show solidarity," Macron said.
He added that France is helping its citizens who wish to leave the region. According to him, two flights are scheduled to arrive in Paris on Tuesday evening. Security measures have also been stepped up at certain sites in France.
Macron noted that Iran "bears primary responsibility" for the actions of the United States and Israel, but stressed that these military operations were conducted outside the bounds of international law.
"The United States and Israel decided to launch military operations. They were carried out outside international law, and we cannot approve of this," Macron said.
