France deploys aircraft carrier to Mediterranean, orders evacuations of citizens

Hind Al Soulia - Riyadh - PARIS —France is sending its flagship aircraft carrier to the Mediterranean in response to the widening conflict in the Middle East, President Emmanuel Macron announced Tuesday.
In a televised address on Tuesday night, Macron blamed Tehran for the unfolding crisis while also criticizing the US-Israeli strikes that triggered it, before announcing a raft of military and consular measures.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran bears primary responsibility for this situation," Macron said.
At the same time, he argued the initial Israeli-American military operations "were conducted outside international law," even as he urged the fighting to stop alongside Germany and the United Kingdom.
The address came four days after the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran, triggering retaliatory strikes across the region and raising fears of a broader escalation.
Macron confirmed that a second French military facility had been hit. "We have reinforced the security of our military bases in the region. Two of them have been subjected to limited strikes, causing material damage," he said.
He added: "We shot down drones in legitimate defence from the very first hours of the conflict."
He cited defence agreements linking France with Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, saying France owed them solidarity, and also mentioned commitments and partnerships involving Jordan, Iraq and Syria.
The head of state announced that France will deploy air defence capabilities to several of these allied countries as part of a "defensive" force.
He also warned against a potential Israeli ground operation in Lebanon, calling it "a dangerous escalation and a strategic mistake."
Earlier on Tuesday, Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said French Rafale fighter jets had carried out air-security operations over French installations in the United Arab Emirates to protect them from further drone attacks.

Advertisements The French President also warned that key maritime corridors were at risk and said France was taking the initiative to protect them.
"We are leading efforts to build a coalition to bring together the means to restore and secure traffic," in the Strait of Hormuz and the Suez Canal, which he described as essential sea routes for global trade and energy supplies.
Macron also announced reinforcements to Cyprus after drone incidents targeted British facilities on the island.
"We are sending defensive means to Cyprus, and a French frigate will arrive off Cyprus as of this evening," he said.
The move follows drone incidents at the British sovereign base of RAF Akrotiri, including one drone reported to have crashed on the runway and others intercepted.
Meanwhile, the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is heading towards the Mediterranean, part of what Macron presented as an overall posture of deterrence and preparedness.
"I have ordered the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier, its air assets, and its escort of frigates to set course for the Mediterranean," Macron said in his televised speech.
The president said around 400,000 French nationals are currently present in the wider region.
"We are organizing, in an orderly manner, the repatriation of our citizens who wish to leave, starting with the most vulnerable," Macron said.
He confirmed that "the first two flights will land in Paris tonight" as part of the evacuation effort. — Agencies