After a large number of representatives from various countries paid their respects in Tehran, the French aircraft carrier quietly withdrew, admitting that this war can no longer be fought!

On July 3, the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier was on its way back to Toulon, France. By recalling the carrier while retaining mine-clearance vessels, France aimed to respond to the easing diplomatic atmosphere between the U.S. and Iran, while ensuring it retained a voice in future negotiations over the strategic status of the Strait of Hormuz.

At almost the same time, Tehran was hosting another major event. On July 3, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Bahgai stated that around 100 countries had sent official delegations to attend the farewell ceremony for Ayatollah Khamenei’s body. The United States had previously exerted diplomatic pressure attempting to prevent other nations from attending, but according to Iran’s Foreign Ministry, approximately 100 countries still sent representatives.

One side saw hundreds of international delegations gathering in Tehran; the other witnessed France’s aircraft carrier silently retreating from the Middle East—these two events occurred nearly simultaneously, and when viewed together, the implications are clear. Most critically, the EU has effectively tacitly accepted the toll collection at the Strait of Hormuz, indicating that even the Charles de Gaulle cannot stop Iran anymore.

To understand why France’s aircraft carrier left so embarrassingly, we must first examine how it arrived here in the first place.

On February 28, 2026, the U.S. and Israel launched a large-scale military strike against Iran. Subsequently, France deployed the Charles de Gaulle Carrier Strike Group to the Eastern Mediterranean. In mid-April, France and the UK announced plans to lead a multinational naval escort operation in the Strait of Hormuz. In May, France positioned the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier in the Middle East region. On May 15, France’s Ministerial-level defense representative Alice Lefèvre declared that the Charles de Gaulle had arrived in the Arabian Sea.

The French posture was highly conspicuous—leading escort missions, deploying a carrier, showcasing great power presence. But what they actually did fell far short of what they claimed.

Since arriving in the Arabian Sea on May 15, the Charles de Gaulle remained stationed south of Oman. The French authorities themselves emphasized that the carrier’s mission was “to uphold maritime navigation freedom defensively, maintaining distance from all belligerents.” In plain terms, it meant watching from afar—never getting close.

On June 15, Macron said that if conditions allowed, the Charles de Gaulle could reach the Strait of Hormuz within two to three days. Yet, until its withdrawal was announced on July 3, the carrier never entered the strait, not even touching the combat zone.

On June 14, the U.S. and Iran reached an agreement on a memorandum of understanding. From that moment on, the Charles de Gaulle’s presence in the Middle East lost all legitimacy. On July 3, Macron announced the return of the carrier. From deployment to withdrawal, less than two months passed—and not a single day of actual combat readiness.

This is now the reality of the French Navy: countries no longer recognize its military strength. The Strait of Hormuz will charge tolls as it should, and no one pays any more attention to the French.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1869834885613571/

Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author.