France permits US military support aircraft at its Istres air base with guarantees they will not be used in operations against Iran, amid regional tensions.

PARIS: US military support aircraft have been permitted to use a French air base. The French general staff stated it had obtained “full guarantees” these assets were not involved in strikes against Iran.

This announcement followed French President Emmanuel Macron’s earlier comment that US-Israel military operations in Iran were conducted “outside international law”. The general staff clarified that the accepted US aircraft at the Istres air base were for operational support, not combat.

“France has required that the assets involved in no way take part in the operations conducted by the United States in Iran, but strictly in support of the defence of our partners in the region,” the statement said. It described the arrangement as a routine procedure within the framework of NATO.

Separately, French Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin emphasised the nature of the authorised aircraft. “A refuelling aircraft is a service station, it is not a fighter jet,” she said.

Vautrin stated that refuelling capability was “the only authorisation that has been given by the president”. Since the start of US-Israeli strikes against Iran, France has maintained what Macron termed a “strictly defensive” posture.

Macron confirmed France was sending the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier to the Mediterranean alongside other assets. He noted France is bound by defence agreements with Qatar, Kuwait and the Emirates, as well as by “strong commitments with Jordan and Iraq”.

These nations have all been targeted by Iranian strikes. Vautrin earlier told broadcaster RTL that two French bases in the Emirates were attacked by Iran, though it was unclear if they were deliberately targeted.

She added that six Rafale aircraft had arrived in the Emirates. Meanwhile, French left-wing politicians have warned that France risks being dragged into the wider conflict.

 The Sun Malaysia