France Deploys Aircraft Carrier to Strait of Hormuz? Macron Explains Objectives

The French Government is deploying naval vessels – including an aircraft carrier strike group – to the Mediterranean, Red Sea, and potentially to the Strait of Hormuz as part of “defence” support to its allies in the Middle East.

Speaking in Cyprus after the country was struck by drones last week, President Emmanuel Macron said: “When Cyprus is attacked, then Europe is attacked.”

Overall, Macron stated that France will deploy eight warships, an aircraft carrier strike group, and two helicopter carriers to the region. This could ultimately include the Strait of Hormuz to support commercial vessels, Macron said.

“We are in the process of establishing a purely escort and defence mission, which must be prepared jointly with European and non-European countries, and the objective is to enable – as soon as possible after the most intense phase of conflict ends – the escort of container ships and tankers to gradually reopen the Strait of Hormuz,” Macron said.