France has confirmed that its carrier strike group is moving south of the Suez Canal towards the Red Sea in preparation for a possible joint British security mission in the Strait of Hormuz.
French President Emmanuel Macron said the move was aimed at restoring confidence in maritime security in the world's most important oil trade route if conditions permit.
The redeployment of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and its escort ships is seen as a response to war tensions with Iran that have disrupted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
The closure of the strategic route has become a key symbol of the Iran conflict as hundreds of ships have reportedly been stranded, raising fears of the biggest oil supply disruption in the history of global markets, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
The Franco-British mission, however, is different from the US military operation known as "Project Freedom" that was launched earlier this week before being temporarily suspended by US President Donald Trump.
According to Macron, the European operation is defensive in nature and does not directly involve war. He also stressed that restoring stability in the Strait of Hormuz could help negotiations on Iran's nuclear issue, ballistic program and regional tensions.
French military spokesman Colonel Guillaume Vernet said the joint Hormuz operation involving France, Britain and more than 50 countries would only begin after two conditions were met: the threat to shipping had decreased and shipping companies were confident in using the route.
He also explained that any operation would require the consent of neighboring countries, including Iran, which has strategic control over the strait.
War risk insurance premiums for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz have reportedly jumped five times compared to pre-conflict levels, causing many shipping companies to be reluctant to take the risk of entering the area.
In the same development, observers see the Franco-British cooperation as a continuation of the European security alliance formed by Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to strengthen Europe's role in global geopolitical issues.
Since the war broke out on February 28, France has deployed a massive military force including eight frigates, two Mistral-class amphibious assault ships and Rafale fighter jets based in the United Arab Emirates.
French Rafale jets have also reportedly intercepted several Iranian drones and missiles in Gulf airspace under long-standing defense cooperation between Paris and Abu Dhabi.
