French Rafale fighter jets have intercepted and destroyed Iranian drones heading toward the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot confirmed the operation during a recent statement regarding the escalating security situation in the Middle East.
Minister Barrot noted that the French military intervention was necessary to neutralize the aerial threats posed by the Iranian drones. Regarding the evacuation of French citizens from the region, the minister stated that several flights are scheduled for March 4, including operations from the UAE and Egypt to assist compatriots returning from Israel.
The regional security landscape has deteriorated significantly following the February 28 strikes by the United States and Israel against targets in Iran. In response, the Islamic Republic launched retaliatory strikes against U.S. and Israeli interests in Israel and Persian Gulf countries, leading to the closure of airspace across several nations in the region.
France maintains a permanent military presence in the UAE at the Al Dhafra Air Base, which serves as a strategic hub for French operations in the Middle East and the Indian Ocean. The deployment of Rafale jets in this context underscores France's commitment to regional stability and the protection of its strategic partners in the Persian Gulf against escalating drone and missile threats.
