"We have different objectives, methods, and operational areas."
Since early March, France has dispatched an impressive fleet to the war-torn Middle East. Currently, a dozen French ships are in the region, including the aircraft carrier "Charles de Gaulle." President Emmanuel Macron emphasizes that France's position in this conflict is "exclusively defensive."
The strike group led by the aircraft carrier "Charles de Gaulle" concluded its exercises in Scandinavia ahead of schedule in early March and set course southward. Within a week, it entered the Mediterranean Sea.
The "Charles de Gaulle" is accompanied by three French frigates responsible for air defense and the supply ship "Jacques Chevalier." Onboard the aircraft carrier are 20 "Rafale" fighters, two E-2 Hawkeye early warning radar aircraft, and three helicopters.
President Emmanuel Macron has repeatedly emphasized that France's position in the region is "strictly defensive": France does not intend to participate directly in the war. The overall strategy has not changed following the death of a French soldier at a Kurdish base in Iraq due to a drone attack.
"We are not participating in the war between Israel and the United States against Iran. The task assigned to me is of an exclusively defensive nature. It is the protection of our citizens and territories, the protection of our allies and partners in the region with whom we have defense agreements," noted Rear Admiral Odos de Posses.
The Rear Admiral clarified that the "Charles de Gaulle" is "not in contact in any way" with two American aircraft carriers present in the region.
"Our operations are completely separate from each other. We have different objectives, methods, and operational areas. The 'Abraham Lincoln' is currently much further away, in the Arabian Sea. The 'Gerald Ford' is also not in the Eastern Mediterranean," stated Thibaut Odos de Posses.
The French carrier group is monitoring missile and drone movements, coordinating the actions of allied international forces in the region. Its goal is to protect French interests and partners from potential attacks by Iran and Hezbollah. It may also provide humanitarian assistance, evacuation, and support for the Lebanese army. In the future, it may also protect the freedom of commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
In recent days, U.S. President Donald Trump has been insisting on assistance from other countries to control the Strait of Hormuz, including from France. However, these countries are hesitant, unwilling to engage in military actions.
During a visit to Cyprus, Macron announced an international "support and defense mission" to unblock the Strait of Hormuz. However, it can only commence after the acute phase of hostilities has ended. This may involve escorting tankers and container ships passing through this vital strait for oil and gas supplies, connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and beyond to the open ocean.
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