France's aircraft carrier the Charles de Gaulle was on Wednesday heading towards the southern Red Sea to pre?position for a possible mission to restore navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, Paris said. The move was intended to send "a signal that not only are we ready to secure the Strait of Hormuz but that we are also capable of doing so", an aide to President Emmanuel Macron told reporters.

France wants to ensure the safe passage of ships through the strait but is wary of getting involved in the war.