French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday ordered a French nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to sail into the Mediterranean from the Baltic Sea to help protect assets amid a Middle East war involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
The aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle will fly to the Mediterranean accompanied by frigates and its air wing, Macron said in a pre-recorded speech on French television.
It comes as US President Donald Trump rushed to announce that his country would take “immediate action to protect maritime trade” as Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz.
“And we will continue this effort as long as necessary,” Macron noted.
What is France’s position?
France has already deployed Rafale fighter jets, air defense systems and airborne radar systems in the Middle East in the past few hours, the French president said.
Earlier, France, the United Kingdom and Germany said they would not get involved in the war in the Persian Gulf, which escalated after Israel launched drones and missiles in the region. But they said they were prepared to take defensive action to destroy Iran’s ability to launch missiles and drones.
Read also | Oil rose slightly after Trump promised insurance for ships passing through the Strait of HormuzRead also | US-Iran conflict: Tehran closes Strait of Hormuz – list of countries affectedRead also | How many days will India’s oil reserves last if Hormuz closes?
But Macron said French forces shot down the drones “in legitimate self-defense in the very first hours of the conflict to defend the airspace of our allies who know they can count on us,” without elaborating on the matter.
In explaining the need to move the French aircraft carrier, Macron cited Monday’s strike on a British air force base in Cyprus and added that Cyprus is a member of the European Union, with which France recently signed a strategic partnership.
“This requires our support,” Macron said.
Trump rushed to protect maritime trade
Days after US attacks in Iran and subsequent tensions in the Middle East, Donald Trump announced that the US is moving to protect maritime trade in the Persian Gulf region, where Tehran has threatened to block vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
The closure of the arterial route has raised concerns about global oil prices, 20% of which passes through this narrow channel near Iran.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he has ordered the United States Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to provide political risk insurance and guarantees to ensure the financial security of all maritime trade, especially energy supplies passing through the Persian Gulf.
“Effective immediately, I have directed the United States Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to provide, at a very reasonable cost, political risk insurance and financial security guarantees for ALL maritime trade, especially energy, traveling across the Gulf. This will be available to all Shipping Lines,” Trump wrote in the post.
He also said that if necessary, the US Navy will escort these tankers through the Strait of Hormuz.
“If necessary, the United States Navy will begin escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible. Regardless, the United States will ensure the FREE FLOW OF ENERGY to the WORLD. The ECONOMIC AND MILITARY POWER OF THE UNITED STATES IS THE GREATEST ON EARTH,” Trump said.
Key things
- The Strait of Hormuz is a critical bottleneck for global oil trade, with 20% of the world’s oil flowing through it.
- Both France and the US have made significant military and financial commitments to ensure the security of sea lanes.
- International cooperation is vital in addressing threats to global trade and energy supplies amid rising geopolitical tensions.
Macron
