Macron Orders Charles de Gaulle Carrier to Mediterranean, Deploys Rafales; Blames Iran as Primary Aggressor

French President Emmanuel Macron addressed the French nation Tuesday night, declaring Iran's Islamic Republic primarily responsible for the Middle East war due to its nuclear program, support for terrorist groups, and killing of protesters during demonstrations. Macron announced French forces had been intercepting and shooting down Iranian drones from the conflict's opening hours. He ordered the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to deploy to the Mediterranean to protect free navigation, support Cyprus, and uphold international security; France has also deployed Rafale fighter jets, air defense systems, and advanced radars in the region. Macron separately spoke with the leaders of Cyprus, Lebanon, Qatar, the UAE, and the Kurdistan region to coordinate crisis management efforts.