STORY: French President Emmanuel Macron has ordered an aircraft carrier to set sail for the Mediterranean following the situation in the Middle East, he said on Tuesday (March 3) in an address to the nation.

"Faced with this unstable situation and the uncertainties of the coming days, I have ordered the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, its air assets, and its frigate escort to set sail for the Mediterranean," he said.

He added France is sending additional air defence equipment and the Languedoc frigate to Cyprus, after the runway of Britain’s Akrotiri base there was hit by an Iranian-made drone.

Macron said Iran bears responsibility for the conflict spreading around the Middle East, but added that if Israel considered a ground operation, it would be "a dangerous escalation and a strategic error.”

He said the first two flights repatriating French citizens stuck in the region amid closed airspaces will arrive in Paris on Tuesday evening.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VIDEO SHOWS: FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, GIVING TELEVISED ADDRESS TO NATION

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: PARIS, FRANCE (MARCH 3, 2026) (FRANCE TV - No re-use after March 4, 2026 at 1900GMT / Must on-screen courtesy "France TV" / No zooming.)

1. (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, SAYING:

“Since last Saturday, war has once again engulfed the Near and Middle East. Triggered by strikes launched by the United States and Israel against Iran, it is now spreading throughout the region and having grave consequences for peace and security for all. The Islamic Republic of Iran bears primary responsibility for this situation.”

2. WHITE FLASH

3. (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, SAYING:

“Faced with this unstable situation, and the uncertainties of the coming days, I have ordered that the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, its air assets and its frigate escort set course for the Mediterranean.”

4. WHITE FLASH

5. (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, SAYING:

“Cyprus, a member of the European Union and a country with which we have just signed a strategic partnership, has also been attacked in recent days. This requires our support. That is why I have decided to send additional air defence equipment there as well, and a French frigate, the Languedoc, which will arrive off the coast of Cyprus this evening.”

6. WHITE FLASH

7. (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, SAYING:

“Israel is reportedly considering a ground operation. This would also be a dangerous escalation and a strategic error.”

8. WHITE FLASH

9. (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, SAYING:

“Nearly 400,000 of our fellow citizens are currently in the region, either as residents or just passing through. We are organising the repatriation of those who wish to return, starting with the most vulnerable. The first two flights will arrive in Paris this evening.”