France positions Charles de Gaulle near Hormuz crisis

Alice Rufo, the French minister delegate in the defence ministry, said that the aircraft carrier had passed through the Suez Canal and “arrived in the area,” adding that it had entered the Arabian Sea. The ship is not in the Strait of Hormuz. The minister emphasised that its deployment is entirely defensive in nature and is being carried out in accordance with applicable international law. “It is in the area, which gives us the means to assess the situation and influence diplomatic developments,” Rufo said.

The aircraft carrier began its voyage in early May from the Mediterranean Sea to the southern part of the Red Sea. In this way, France is trying to demonstrate its potential and capabilities to conduct a possible mission to ensure security in the strait. The mission would be international in nature and would begin after the official end of fighting between the United States and Iran.

According to French President Emmanuel Macron, the goal of any potential operation would be “to allow, in a manner agreed with Iran, through de-escalation of the conflict with all the countries of the region and the United States, to ensure—when conditions permit—the resumption of maritime traffic.”

At present, a fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran remains in effect. It has already lasted for more than a month, and the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively blocked. Reports continue to emerge regularly of a lack of agreement between the warring parties on the terms of a lasting peace.