Paris rejects redeployment of aircraft carrier to Hormuz

France has no plans to send its aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle back to the Strait of Hormuz after the vessel recently departed the region and began its return to French waters, Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said. 

Speaking during a morning interview on TF1, Barrot dismissed the possibility of redeploying the carrier.

"No," he said when asked whether the Charles de Gaulle would return to the region. "You heard the President of the Republic's statement — the aircraft carrier is returning and is now close to our territory, so to speak."

Barrot noted that France has already expressed its willingness to contribute military assets to help safeguard navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, including "for example, through mine-clearing operations."

"We certainly hope that calm will be restored and that mine-clearing operations can be carried out as soon as possible. This is necessary to resume maritime traffic and ease pressure on hydrocarbon prices," he added.

On July 3, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that the Charles de Gaulle was leaving the Middle East and returning to its home port in Toulon after completing its mission near the Strait of Hormuz.

By Vafa Guliyeva