Published on 02/03/2026 at 22:19
Temps de lecture : 2min – vidéo : 2min
After a drone strike targeted a French base in the United Arab Emirates, Paris is strengthening its military presence in the Gulf. With a focus on protecting its forces, supporting allies, and considering options for retaliation against Iran, France is preparing for all scenarios.
Following the drone strike that hit a hangar at the French naval base in the United Arab Emirates, will France retaliate against Iran? The country is reinforcing its presence in the Gulf, with two ships en route to the Red Sea.
During a press briefing, Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated, “It is about ensuring the security of our assets, bases, and military personnel in the region.”
France’s immediate priority is to secure the airspace of its allies. General Bernard Norlain, president of Initiatives for Nuclear Disarmament and former director of the IHEDN, emphasized, “The least we can do is to establish air defense systems that can protect the countries with which we have defense agreements and our own forces.”
Paris may take further action, such as targeting Iranian missile or drone launch sites, or naval bases. France has a significant military presence in the region with several bases.
Off the coast of Iran, in Abu Dhabi, 900 personnel are present at the command center for operations in the Near and Middle East. Further north, in Iraq and Syria, 1,200 soldiers are involved in Operation Chammal.
In Lebanon, approximately 700 peacekeepers are deployed with the UN. In Jordan, at an air base, several Rafale jets are stationed. Finally, in Djibouti, a logistical and operational base hosts around 1,500 military personnel.
Altogether, over 5,000 individuals are mobilized in the region. According to our sources, a list of military targets is on Emmanuel Macron’s desk.
This list is not exhaustive.
