France allows US aircraft to use its Middle East bases amid escalating tensions with Iran: Report

ISTANBUL

France has authorized US aircraft to use its military bases in the Middle East amid ongoing attacks targeting Iran, French military sources said Thursday.

Sources from the French Army General Staff confirmed that the authorization to the Spanish news agency EFE, initially reported by LCI television, is temporary and granted within the framework of France’s defense cooperation with the US.

The decision aims to help protect partners in the region as tensions escalate following US and Israeli strikes against Iran, sources were cited by the media outlet as saying, without specifying which French bases would be used.

France has also reinforced its military presence in the region since the conflict escalated last weekend.

Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin said six more Rafale fighter jets have been deployed to French bases in the United Arab Emirates.

Earlier this week, two bases in the UAE hosting French forces were hit during Iranian attacks, but Vautrin said it was not clear whether French installations were the intended targets, as the facilities are also used by Emirati forces.

“There were no casualties or injuries, and the bases remain fully operational,” she said.

Vautrin also confirmed that the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, previously deployed in the Baltic Sea, is expected to arrive in the Mediterranean “at the end of this week or the beginning of next week” to conduct a maritime security mission.

The deployment includes several French frigates, including the Provence, Forbin, and Languedoc.

Israel and the US have continued a large-scale offensive on Iran since Saturday, killing at least 926 people, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and top military officials.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel as well as Gulf countries that are home to US military assets.