France pulls aircraft carrier from Gulf, citing US-Iran deal progress

French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Friday that the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is returning to its home port of Toulon after nearly two months deployed near the Arabian Peninsula, citing the US-Iran memorandum of understanding as "significant progress" for regional stability.democrata+1

The decision marks a partial drawdown of France's naval posture in the Middle East but stops short of a full withdrawal. Macron said mine countermeasure vessels, frigates, and a maritime patrol aircraft will remain in position, "ready to intervene" alongside allied forces to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.xinhuanet+1

A Diplomatic Pivot Through Oman

Macron said the decision followed "constructive talks" with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman during a meeting in Paris earlier in the week. "Taking into account this favorable evolution and the evolution of needs, I have decided to adapt our deployment," Macron wrote on X.democrata

The Charles de Gaulle had been pre-positioned since mid-May as part of a French-British initiative to form a multinational coalition — reportedly involving about 30 countries — to restore commercial shipping through the strait, which carries roughly 20 percent of global oil traffic. Two minehunters, two frigates, and aerial surveillance assets now form the core of France's remaining presence.france24+2

The US-Iran Deal and Its Limits

The memorandum of understanding, signed on June 14 by President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian with Pakistani mediation, commits both sides to an immediate cessation of hostilities and opens a 60-day window to negotiate a final agreement. Under its terms, Iran pledged to ensure safe commercial passage through the strait and to complete demining within 30 days, while the United States agreed to dismantle its naval blockade on the same timeline.bbc+3

Yet the agreement has not eliminated friction. Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters warned on Thursday that any foreign interference in the strait would be met with a "decisive and swift" response, and that all tankers must follow routes designated by Tehran. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi separately insisted that responsibility for reopening the waterway lies solely with Iran under the terms of the memorandum.dawn+2

France's Balancing Act

France has framed its continued mine-clearance presence as defensive and complementary rather than adversarial. Officials told The National this week that Paris is not seeking a "power struggle" with Iran but aims to contribute to maritime safety as demining operations proceed.thenationalnews

"France remains fully mobilized and will continue to adjust its means according to the evolution of the situation and the security needs in the region," Macron said.democrata