Reuters: France Sending Aircraft Carrier to Mediterranean, Macron Says

President Emmanuel Macron announced that France is deploying its aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to the Mediterranean as tensions escalate across the Middle East, according to a report by Reuters.

In a televised address from Paris, Macron said France is also working to build a coalition aimed at securing maritime traffic as key shipping routes face disruption. He cited the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and threats to the Suez Canal and Red Sea corridor amid the widening conflict.

“We have economic interests to protect,” Macron said, pointing to rising oil and gas prices and disruptions to global trade.

France has also deployed a frigate to Cyprus and confirmed that French forces shot down drones over Gulf partner nations. Rafale fighter jets are among the military assets being used.

Macron emphasized that France has defense agreements with Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates, saying those nations have been particularly targeted and that France “owes them solidarity.”

He added that evacuation efforts are underway, with two flights scheduled to arrive in Paris, and that security measures have been reinforced at certain locations within France.