The French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle has passed through Gibraltar and entered the Mediterranean, heading toward the Middle East, the Itamilradar portal reports.

President Emmanuel Macron decided to deploy the carrier to strengthen the protection of allied forces and regional facilities amid the escalating Iranian crisis, marking a redeployment of European naval forces toward the Middle East.

The carrier was urgently redirected to the Mediterranean from the Baltic Sea region, where it had been participating in exercises with NATO partners in Northern Europe. The decision reflects the rapid deterioration of the strategic situation following strikes on Iran and Tehran's retaliatory actions in the region.

Macron told Le Figaro that France is not intervening in the Middle East conflict but only protecting its citizens and allies. "France is not waging war in this region. It is protecting French men and women, its allies, and supporting Lebanon," he emphasized.

According to Itamilradar, several European ships are already deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean to help defend Cyprus against the growing threat of Iranian drones and missiles. French and Greek warships are operating near the island, while the German frigate FGS Nordrhein-Westfalen is off the coast of Lebanon. Meanwhile, the American carrier strike group led by USS Gerald R. Ford near Middle Eastern shores is actively engaged in operations against Iran and in the defense of Israel.