France announced on Wednesday that it would send additional military resources to the Middle East in response to what it described as the “Iranian threat,” following Iran’s recent missile strikes on Israel.
The French government also called for an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council later in the day to address the escalating tensions.
Earlier on Wednesday, Iran claimed its missile assault on Israel had concluded, provided there were no further provocations.
However, both Israel and the United States vowed to retaliate against Tehran’s escalation, raising fears of a broader regional conflict.
In a statement released late Tuesday after an emergency cabinet meeting, the French presidency reaffirmed its commitment to Israel’s security and announced the deployment of military assets to the Middle East.
“In line with France’s commitment to Israel’s security, we have mobilized military resources in the Middle East to confront the Iranian threat,” the statement read.
President Emmanuel Macron also reiterated France’s call for Hezbollah to cease its attacks on Israel and its citizens. However, the statement did not provide specific details regarding the additional military resources France was sending to the region.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot reportedly discussed coordinating diplomatic efforts with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Last week, both Paris and Washington attempted to broker a temporary ceasefire in Lebanon just hours before Israeli airstrikes killed Hezbollah’s Secretary-General, Hassan Nasrallah.
The French Foreign Ministry announced it had requested a UN Security Council meeting on Wednesday afternoon to address the volatile situation in the Middle East. Additionally, the French government revealed plans to organize a conference to support Lebanon in the near future, while also instructing the foreign minister to visit the region to advance diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalation.
France has already increased its military presence in the region, with the deployment of a helicopter carrier earlier in the week, preparing for potential evacuations if the situation deteriorates further.
