France is deploying around a dozen naval vessels to key waterways including the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea and possibly the Strait of Hormuz, providing defensive support to allies affected by the widening conflict in the Middle East.
President Emmanuel Macron made the announcement during a visit to Cyprus before travelling to inspect the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle strike group, which arrived in the eastern Mediterranean over the weekend. His visit followed the interception of drones that had been heading toward Cyprus, raising regional security concerns.
After meeting Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Paphos, Macron stressed European solidarity, stating that any attack on Cyprus should be treated as an attack on Europe.
European countries have largely been sidelined as tensions between the United States, Israel and Iran escalated, affecting Gulf Arab states and drawing Lebanon into the conflict after the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel.
With vital shipping routes under threat and oil prices rising well above 100 dollars per barrel, European governments are facing growing pressure to safeguard their economic and strategic interests.
Macron said France’s role would remain strictly defensive, standing alongside nations targeted by Iranian retaliation while contributing to regional de-escalation. He emphasised that ensuring maritime security and protecting freedom of navigation remain central priorities.
The European Union’s principal naval engagement in the region operates through Operation Aspides, a Red Sea mission launched in 2024 to protect commercial vessels from attacks by the Iran-aligned Houthi movement, which backs Hamas in its conflict with Israel.
Mitsotakis said Greece would advocate reinforcing the mission with additional vessels, noting that participation remains limited and calling for stronger demonstrations of European unity.
France currently assigns one warship to the mission and plans to increase that number to two. In total, Paris intends to deploy eight warships, supported by the aircraft carrier strike group and two helicopter carriers across the broader region.
Macron said operations could eventually extend to the Strait of Hormuz to assist commercial shipping. He added that planning was underway for a purely defensive escort mission involving both European and non-European partners.
The initiative aims to enable the safe passage of container ships and oil tankers once the most intense phase of fighting subsides, gradually restoring traffic through one of the world’s most strategically important energy corridors.
