France Sends Aircraft Carrier to Eastern Mediterranean Amid Escalating Tensions
ISTANBUL
France has redeployed its aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and its accompanying naval strike group from the Baltic Sea to the eastern Mediterranean, according to French broadcaster BFMTV. The move comes as regional tensions rise sharply following recent military attacks.
Macron Confirms Drone Strike on UAE Base
French President Emmanuel Macron convened the National Defense and Security Council at the Elysee Palace to review the situation. He reported that a drone strike hit a French hangar near the Emirati base at the port of Abu Dhabi. Macron stated, “The damage is limited and purely material. There are no injuries.”
He noted that the UAE was the most affected country, while Qatar also experienced significant targeting. Other countries in the region have been struck as well.
Escalation Following US and Israeli Strikes
Macron emphasized that strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran since Friday morning have caused unprecedented escalation. He described Iran’s retaliatory missile and drone attacks as “disproportionate and indiscriminate,” targeting both military facilities and civilian infrastructure in allied countries.
France plans a country-by-country review to enhance protection measures and prepare for the repatriation of French nationals as soon as airspace reopens.
Defense Ministry Response
Catherine Vautrin confirmed the incident, stating that French forces remain on high alert amid the rapidly evolving situation.
Background
The UAE Defense Ministry reported that two Iranian drones struck a warehouse at Al-Salam Naval Base, causing a fire in containers storing general materials.
The US and Israel launched attacks on Iran on Saturday, killing several senior Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Tehran responded with drone and missile attacks targeting Israel, US assets, and several Gulf nations. A similar US-Israel strike last June led to a 12-day conflict before a ceasefire.
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