Middle East war: During his trip to Cyprus, Emmanuel Macron will visit the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle

Emmanuel Macron will travel this Monday afternoon, March 9, aboard the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, which is off the coast of Crete in the eastern Mediterranean, where it has been deployed to address the situation in the Middle East, the Élysée Palace announced.

France's Solidarity

The French president, who is traveling to Cyprus on Monday, will speak "with the sailors involved in the group "naval aeronautics," the same source specified. The deployment of the aircraft carrier aims to "reinforce the military assets already present in the region to ensure the security of France, its citizens and bases, as well as that of its allies in the region."

This deployment aims to "demonstrate France's solidarity" with Cyprus, where a British military base was hit by a drone shortly after the start of the Israeli-American offensive against Iran on February 28, the French presidency stated.

Amidst the escalating war in Iran and soaring oil prices, the reinforcement of European military assets in the Eastern Mediterranean, particularly around Cyprus, will also be on the agenda, as France, Italy, and Spain have each deployed a frigate to the area.

"Exchange with the sailors deployed"

Emmanuel Macron has also ordered the deployment of the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, on which he is expected this afternoon off the coast of Crete, the Élysée Palace announced. The objective, it was specified, is "to exchange with the sailors deployed within the naval task force and to be briefed on the military deployment."

"The arrival of the aircraft carrier in the Eastern Mediterranean reinforces the military resources already present in the region to take measures for the security of France, its citizens and its bases, as well as that of its allies in the region," the French presidency further stated. An amphibious helicopter carrier has also been deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean.

During his brief visit to Cyprus, Emmanuel Macron will also discuss the need to preserve freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, where the conflict could spill over, given that the Strait of Hormuz, strategic for hydrocarbon supplies, is blocked.

A French frigate is already participating in Operation Aspides, launched in 2024 by the European Union (EU) in the Red Sea, to prevent attacks by the pro-Iranian Houthis in Yemen against merchant ships, by organizing convoys escorted by warships.

Fuel Price Concerns

Faced with soaring fuel prices, a major source of concern for the global economy, the G7 countries are considering, among other "options," drawing on their strategic reserves, Emmanuel Macron also told reporters on the plane that was taking him to Cyprus.

The heads of state and government of the G7 could also coordinate "this week" via videoconference on energy issues, added the French president, whose country is chairing this year's group comprising the United States, Japan, Germany, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Canada.

Paris is also giving priority attention to Lebanon, which has been hit by massive Israeli strikes against the pro-Iranian Shiite movement Hezbollah, where it has sent initial humanitarian aid, including tents.