France Ends Charles de Gaulle Carrier Mission in Middle East

President Emmanuel Macron declared on Friday that the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle has departed the Middle East region and returned to France, thereby ending its deployment related to the conflict between Iran and the United States.

Macron stated on his X platform account that France had deployed minesweeping vessels in the Middle East, including two mine-detection ships. These vessels were accompanied by two frigates and a maritime patrol aircraft, all prepared to assist, in cooperation with partners, in fully restoring navigation and ensuring the safety of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

He described the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran on June 17 as an important step toward enhancing regional stability, particularly by reaffirming freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Macron noted that due to this positive development and evolving needs, and following constructive discussions with the Sultan of Oman, he decided to adjust France’s military deployment.

The president confirmed that the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier is returning to its home port in Toulon, while the minesweeping vessels and their escorts remain deployed and ready to intervene alongside France’s partners.

He concluded by emphasizing that France remains on high alert and will continue to adjust its resources in accordance with the situation's developments and security requirements in the region.

Earlier, on May 6, the French Ministry of the Armed Forces announced that the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier, a symbol of the French Navy carrying about twenty Rafale aircraft along with escorting frigates, passed through the Suez Canal heading toward the Gulf of Aden.