France to withdraw Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier from Middle East

France is withdrawing its nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle from the Middle East, with the vessel set to return to its home port of Toulon after a deployment that began in May, President Emmanuel Macron said.

The announcement, made on X, comes as Paris recalibrates its regional military posture following what Macron described as positive developments linked to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

La France a déployé au Moyen-Orient des moyens de déminage, avec notamment deux chasseurs de mines. Accompagnés de deux frégates et d’un avion de patrouille maritime, ces moyens sont prêts à contribuer, avec nos partenaires, à la pleine reprise de la navigation et à garantir la… pic.twitter.com/4RyZCwx3h6

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) July 3, 2026

The French leader said France had deployed mine countermeasure capabilities to the region, including two minehunters escorted by two frigates and supported by a patrol aircraft. These assets, he noted, remain in place and are prepared to support the full restoration of maritime traffic through the strategic waterway in coordination with partners.

“Taking into account these positive developments and the evolution of needs, following the constructive discussions I held with the Sultan of Oman, I decided to adjust our operational posture. Thus, the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is returning to its base in Toulon, while our mine countermeasure assets and their escort remain deployed and ready to act together with our partners,” Macron said.

The adjustment follows the signing on June 17 of a memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran confirming the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route.

Macron added that France “remains fully mobilised” and would continue to adapt its military presence in line with evolving security requirements in the region.

The Charles de Gaulle had been deployed to the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden earlier this year as part of preparations for a mission aimed at restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

By Tamilla Hasanova