The French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is heading back to its home port of Toulon from the Middle East, as announced by French President Emmanuel Macron on social media. The carrier was deployed to the region in preparation for a multinational maritime security mission in the Strait of Hormuz led by France and Britain. Macron mentioned that a recent memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran has led to adjustments in France’s presence in the Middle East.
The French mine-clearance assets and their escort assets will remain in the region, prepared to engage in operations with partners, according to Macron. Currently situated in the Mediterranean Sea, the Charles de Gaulle’s location was confirmed by reports from French media citing the president’s office. France and Britain had revealed plans in mid-April to spearhead a defensive, multinational escort mission in the Strait of Hormuz, with France sending the carrier to the Middle East in May in anticipation of the operation’s official commencement post the cessation of hostilities.
An agreement on the memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran was reached on June 14. Macron had indicated that if conditions allowed, the Charles de Gaulle could reach the Strait of Hormuz within two to three days as part of the escort mission. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump stated that Iran had agreed to most of the requirements in negotiations concerning its nuclear program. Trump emphasized the US’s commitment to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and stressed that the goal was the denuclearization of Iran, not a military campaign.
Trump clarified that the aim was to prevent Iran from possessing nuclear weapons and not regime change in Tehran. He highlighted the impact of US military operations in reducing Iran’s military capabilities since his return to office.
