Macron Orders Aircraft Carrier to Mediterranean Amid Middle East Tensions

French President Emmanuel Macron ordered the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to move from the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean on Tuesday. The decision aims to protect allied assets amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, according to multiple reports.

The carrier will be escorted by frigates and its air wing, including Rafale fighter jets, air-defense systems, and airborne radar systems deployed over the past few hours in the Middle East. Macron emphasized France's commitment to continuing this effort as much as necessary.

Macron cited Monday's strike on a British air force base in Cyprus, an EU member with which France has recently signed a strategic partnership, as a reason for the carrier's relocation. He also noted France's defense agreements binding the EU nation to Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as strong commitments to Jordan and Iraq.

Noting that the war had spread to Lebanon, Macron said the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah made "the grave mistake of striking Israel" but warned against Israel launching a ground operation. "This, too, would be a dangerous escalation and a strategic error," he said. "Hezbollah must imperatively cease all strikes, and I call on Israel to respect Lebanese territory and its integrity."

Reflecting France's traditional support for rules-based international order, Macron noted that France "cannot approve" of the strikes by Israel and the U.S. on Iran because they were carried outside of the framework of "international law." He said it would be "desirable" to end the strikes as quickly as possible and that lasting peace in the region can only be achieved through the resumption of diplomatic negotiations.