The French airspace, new focal point for Donald Trump disinformation operations. On Tuesday, the Republican criticized France for “banning the overflight of its territory to planes carrying military equipment destined for Israel”. The President of the United States was irritated that the country showed little cooperation towards the “butcher of Iran” [the Supreme Leader], promising to “remember” this. However, the Elysée quickly denied this claim.
In reality, France “has not changed its position”, noted the Elysée in surprise at this new attack in the form of fake news coming straight from the United States. The decision to ban its airspace to an ally is profoundly political and is made at the highest level of the state.
“Spain will in no way allow, has never allowed, and will never allow the use of the Rota and Morón bases to wage a war to which we are totally opposed, in which we do not believe, and which we consider profoundly illegal and profoundly unjust,” declared the Spanish Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles.
A flight-by-flight authorization
In France, these refusals now apply on a case-by-case basis. Each flight is reviewed and must obtain authorization before crossing French airspace, known as a “diplomatic overflight clearance.” American logistics transport planes have regularly been granted permission to land at the Istres (in Bouches-du-Rhône) and Avord (in Cher) bases since the beginning of the war in Iran. These are not combat aircraft, but support aircraft.
In July 2025, when asked about the potential overflight of French airspace by American stealth bombers B2, later used to strike Iranian nuclear installations, the Ministry of Defense recalled that US military aircraft have several annual diplomatic authorizations. “On the day of the raid, American tanker aircraft were authorized to fly over French airspace, according to a known flight plan and declaration [but] the B-2 bombers that carried out the strikes as part of Operation Midnight Hammer did not overfly French airspace.”
Only Spain has excluded all American aircraft from its airspace since March 30. Like France, Italy has not closed its airspace to American aircraft despite the war and its illegality under international law. However, Italy refused the landing of certain American aircraft at the Sigonella base in Sicily, as the aircraft had not submitted their flight plan in advance, according to Le Monde.
France, “not a party” to the conflict
Beyond the lie or distortion of reality, there is a truth hidden: European countries are not involved in the war between the United States and Israel in Iran. This is what Emmanuel Macron reiterated Wednesday, from Tokyo. “It is absolutely true that France, which was not consulted and is not part of this military offensive launched by the United States and Israel, is not participating. But there is nothing new, it has been true from day one, so there is no need to be surprised.”
If Donald Trump reproaches NATO allies for not supporting him as he hoped on the Iranian front, Jean-Pierre Maulny, Deputy Director of the Institute of International and Strategic Relations (IRIS), points out that “Iran is not part of the zone covered by the Atlantic Alliance, so it is not within NATO’s competence.” Moreover, membership in the Atlantic Alliance does not automatically grant an unlimited right of overflight. Each state remains sovereign over its airspace and can grant, on a case-by-case basis, or even prohibit its airspace as it wishes. Nothing new, therefore, under the wings of French aircraft, regardless of Donald Trump’s feelings.
