- The visit follows a drone strike last week targeting Cyprus, reportedly involving Iranian-made drones
- Macron ordered the deployment of the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to the Mediterranean Sea
- While on board, the French leader is expected to meet with sailors and officers serving in the carrier strike group
French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday held security discussions with the leaders of Cyprus and Greece as tensions continue to rise in the Middle East.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that he was later expected to board France’s flagship aircraft carrier deployed in the Mediterranean.
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Macron arrived in the Cypriot city of Paphos, where he met with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis for talks on regional security.
The visit follows a drone strike last week targeting Cyprus, reportedly involving Iranian-made drones.
The attack occurred as the conflict involving the United States and Israel against Iran entered its second week, destabilising parts of the Middle East and pushing global oil prices higher.
In response to the growing tensions, Macron ordered the deployment of the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to the Mediterranean Sea.
A frigate and additional air defence systems were also sent to Cyprus. French authorities have stressed that the military deployment is intended solely for defensive purposes.
Macron was scheduled to travel to the carrier later Monday. According to the French presidency, the vessel is currently positioned near the Greek island of Crete.
While on board, the French leader is expected to meet with sailors and officers serving in the carrier strike group and review the ongoing mission.
The Élysée Palace said the deployment aims to reinforce France’s military presence in the region and ensure the protection of French citizens, military bases, and allied partners.
Officials also noted that Macron’s visit to Cyprus is meant to show France’s support for the island nation while also discussing additional measures to improve regional security.
The discussions between France, Cyprus and Greece are also expected to address maritime security, including safe navigation in strategic waterways such as the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz.
Cyprus government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said the meeting provides an opportunity for the three countries to evaluate their close coordination on regional defence and security issues.
Separately, Macron also spoke by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier on Monday to discuss developments in the Middle East and the situation in Lebanon.
Security concerns have been growing around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passageway through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s crude oil supply is transported. Since fighting began on February 28, maritime traffic in the area has been severely disrupted due to repeated attacks.
France already has a naval presence in the region. A French frigate is currently participating in Operation Aspides, a mission launched by the European Union in 2024 to protect commercial shipping from attacks by Iran-backed Houthi movement forces.
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