France Deploys Aircraft Carrier Charles de Gaulle to Red Sea

France has deployed its aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, to the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, with the stated goal of restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The French Ministry of Defense announced the move, which comes as part of a broader international initiative led by Britain and France to reopen the vital waterway.

The carrier and its escort vessels are scheduled to transit the Suez Canal today, heading toward the southern Red Sea, according to CNN. This deployment follows an earlier move by President Emmanuel Macron, who positioned the Charles de Gaulle in the eastern Mediterranean and the Red Sea as a defensive measure at the start of the US-Israeli war with Iran.

French Cargo Ship Attacked in Strait of Hormuz

In a separate incident, the French shipping company CMA CGM reported that its cargo vessel, the Saint-Antoine, was attacked while crossing the Strait of Hormuz. The attack resulted in injuries to several crew members and damage to the ship. The company stated in a Wednesday press release that the injured crew members "have been evacuated and are receiving the necessary medical care," adding that it is closely monitoring developments and remains ready to support the crew.

According to CMA CGM, the ship was transiting the strait on Tuesday evening when it was struck by what is believed to be a projectile that hit it directly. The company did not provide further details about the nature of the attack or the party responsible.