French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday made the first reference to possible involvement by Paris in the dizzying military operations now engulfing much of the Middle East, speaking in a nationally televised address, where he added that French bases in the region have been struck and have sustained limited damage.

“It is my responsibility to act,” Macron said, expressing his support for the French armed forces.

He also bemoaned the fact that the east Mediterranean island of Cyprus has been hit, while announcing that a French frigate is already heading toward the large island, while there is coordination “with our Greek friends” and all neighboring allied countries.

He also said he has ordered the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to deploy to the eastern Mediterranean.

Regarding developments in Lebanon, the French president described it as a “major mistake” by the militant group Hezbollah to strike Israel, which is preparing a ground operation.

“I call on Israel to respect Lebanon’s territorial integrity,” Macron said.

The French president noted that approximately 400,000 French citizens are currently in the Middle East and that the French state is organizing their repatriation, with the first flights arriving in Paris on Tuesday evening. He also spoke about heightened vigilance by authorities, even within French territory.

The French aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle

Regarding France’s allies, Emmanuel Macron stressed that his country must honor the defense agreements it has concluded, for example with Qatar, the UAE, Jordan, and Iraq.

“We have already shot down drones to defend the airspace of our allies,” the French president said, adding that French forces will continue to do so for as long as necessary.

French initiative to protect freedom of navigation

Macron also announced initiatives by France to protect freedom of navigation, especially in the Strait of Hormuz as well as the Suez Canal. France’s goal, he said, is to ensure that global trade continues safely and that product prices are not affected.