European powers send forces to eastern Mediterranean following Iranian attacks

French President Emmanuel Macron announced Tuesday that he had ordered an aircraft carrier group to the Mediterranean in response to the recent conflict in the Middle East, while also condemning the U.S. and Israeli-led attacks as “outside international law.” 

“I have ordered the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, its air assets, and its escort of frigates to set course for the Mediterranean,” Macron said in a televised speech. 

Additionally, he announced the deployment of air defense assets to Cyprus, following the launch of Iranian drones at the British air base in Akrotiri on the island nation. 

“I have also decided to send additional air defense assets and a French frigate, the Languedoc, which will arrive off the coast of Cyprus this evening,” Macron stated. 

He also said that France deployed Rafale fighter jets, air-defense systems, and airborne radar systems to the Middle East over the past few hours. 

“And we will continue this effort as much as necessary,” Macron added. 

However, despite sending the military forces to the eastern Mediterranean, Macron continued to characterize the U.S. and Israeli operations in Iran as “outside international law.” 

“The United States of America and Israel decided to launch military operations, conducted outside international law, which we cannot approve of,” Macron stated during the address. 

He did acknowledge that French forces downed several Iranian drones “in self-defense” in the Iranian retaliations following the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. 

“We reacted immediately and shot down drones in self-defense in the early hours of the conflict to defend the airspace of our allies, who know they can count on us,” Macron said in apparent reference to Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, who have defense agreements with France. 

While France, the UK, and Germany have previously said they are not involved in the strikes on Iran, the launching of ballistic missiles and drones by the Iranian regime at countries across the Middle East has forced several European nations to take action to protect their own assets in the region, as well as honor security agreements with Gulf states. 

Also on Tuesday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that Britain would be deploying the HMS Dragon, an air defense destroyer, to Cyprus following the Iranian drone strike. 

“The UK is fully committed to the security of Cyprus and British military personnel based there," Starmer wrote in a post on 𝕏. “We’re continuing our defensive operations, and I've just spoken with the President of Cyprus to let him know that we are sending helicopters with counter-drone capabilities and HMS Dragon is to be deployed to the region.” 

“We will always act in the interest of the UK and our allies,” he wrote. 

The country’s Ministry of Defense said that British forces had shot down numerous drones across the region in the past 24 hours. 

Meanwhile, Greece sent four F-16 fighter jets and two frigates to aid in the defense of Cyprus. One of the frigates is carrying the Centauros anti-drone jamming system, which was previously used to stop Houthi drone attacks on vessels off the coast of Yemen. 

"Greece is present, and will continue to be present to assist in any way in the defense of the Republic of Cyprus," said Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias. 

Italy is also likely to send air defense systems to aid the Gulf states, including SAMP/T batteries capable of intercepting ballistic missiles, Reuters reported Wednesday afternoon, citing an anonymous source. 

The widespread attacks by the Islamic Republic on Gulf states and regional nations, many of which have defense agreements with European nations, could lead to an expansion of the conflict, as those states call on their allies to honor those agreements. 

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has threatened to attack Cyprus with ballistic missiles, claiming the U.S. is operating military aircraft from the island. 

“The Americans have moved most of their aircraft to Cyprus. We will launch missiles at Cyprus with such intensity that the Americans will be forced to leave the island,” IRGC General Sardar Jabbari was quoted as saying by Khabar Fouri, an Iranian news channel on Telegram. 

The U.S. is currently operating several aircraft, including F-22 stealth fighters and aerial refueling planes from Israeli bases during the conflict.