On Wednesday, France announced it had mobilized its military resources in the Middle East to counter what it described as the Iranian threat. The statement followed Iran’s missile attack on Israel, prompting warnings from Germany about the increasing risk of a wider conflict in the region.
Iranian Missile Strike and International Response
Iran’s missile attack on Israel, initially declared as concluded “unless further provoked,” led Israel and the United States to promise retaliation. The escalating tensions have raised concerns about a broader war in the Middle East.
The United Nations Security Council is scheduled to meet later on Wednesday to address the escalation. In anticipation of further deterioration, Cyprus announced the activation of an evacuation mechanism for foreign nationals, providing safe passage through the island from the Middle East.
France’s Military Mobilization
The French presidency issued a statement condemning the missile attack on Israel, emphasizing France’s “full commitment to Israel’s security” and its military participation in countering Iranian threats in the region. The statement, however, did not provide specifics about France’s role in countering the missile attack. According to a government official, France was involved in intercepting Iranian missiles on Tuesday night.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot discussed coordinating diplomatic efforts with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and was set to hold talks with his German counterpart in Berlin on Wednesday.
Germany Warns Against Regional Escalation
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also commented on the crisis, stating, “Iran is risking setting the entire region ablaze, and this must be prevented at all costs.” He urged both Hezbollah and Iran to immediately halt their attacks on Israel.
