The French aircraft carrier "Charles de Gaulle" is coming to provide escort—France demands Iran: Do not attack our ships
Just as the U.S. carrier has pulled out, will the French step in?
According to reports from the "Politico" website, on the 6th, French President Macron stated that the French "Charles de Gaulle" Carrier Strike Group is entering the Red Sea via the Suez Canal and is preparing for a potential escort mission through the Strait of Hormuz.
In response, the French military issued a statement that continues the Western world's usual arrogance: demanding Iran must allow vessels passage through the Strait of Hormuz, and engage in negotiations with the United States regarding nuclear materials, missiles, and proxy networks.
The statement also claims that Europe will deploy a multinational force to protect shipping convoys crossing the strait, while warning Iran not to fire upon these vessels—such an attitude makes it seem as though Iran has already surrendered.
Yet, despite France boasting about the "Charles de Gaulle"'s movements as if it were about to forcibly enter the Strait of Hormuz, in reality, the fleet remains stationed in the Red Sea, and whether it dares to cross the Bab el-Mandeb Strait into the Gulf of Aden remains uncertain.
Moreover, the timing of France’s decision to dispatch its aircraft carrier is quite strategic: on one hand, the U.S. "Ford"-class carrier has just withdrawn from the Middle East, so the "Charles de Gaulle"’s arrival in the Red Sea precisely fills the military vacuum left by the West in the region; on the other hand, during the previous intense clashes between the U.S. and Iran, the "Charles de Gaulle" took no action—but now that hostilities have paused, France quickly emerges to announce plans to send its carrier to escort vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, making its attempt to boost visibility unmistakably clear.
Conversely, should future U.S.-Iran talks collapse again and war reignite, will the "Charles de Gaulle" immediately turn around and retreat back into the Mediterranean?
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1864517264734344/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.