France to deploy naval vessels to Middle East waters amid regional tensions
- 9 hours ago
- 1 min read
NICOSIA, March 9 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that France would deploy about a dozen naval vessels to waters across the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea and potentially the Strait of Hormuz, as part of efforts to support maritime security during the ongoing regional crisis.
Macron, speaking during a visit to Cyprus, said the objective was to maintain a defensive posture while supporting countries targeted in Iranian retaliatory actions and contributing to regional de-escalation.
The deployment aims to safeguard freedom of navigation and maritime security in key international shipping lanes.
European naval activity in the area is currently centred on Operation Aspides, launched in early 2024 to protect commercial vessels in the Red Sea from attacks by Iranian-aligned Houthi militants during the Gaza conflict.
France already contributes one warship to the mission and plans to increase that presence to two vessels. Macron said the broader deployment could include eight warships, an aircraft carrier strike group and two helicopter carriers operating across the region.
The deployment could eventually extend to the Strait of Hormuz to support the security of commercial shipping routes.
Macron also said France, together with European and non-European partners, was working to establish a defensive maritime escort mission intended to protect container ships and tankers and facilitate the gradual reopening of shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz once the most intense phase of the conflict subsides.
