France announced on Wednesday that it is deploying additional military assets to the Middle East in response to the Iranian threat and has called for a United Nations Security Council meeting later in the day following Iran’s missile strikes on Israel.
Iran declared early Wednesday that its missile assault on Israel had concluded, unless provoked further, while both Israel and the United States vowed to respond to Tehran’s aggression amid rising concerns of an expanded conflict.
“France is dedicated to ensuring Israel’s security and has mobilized military resources in the Middle East to address the Iranian threat,” stated the French presidency after an emergency security cabinet meeting focused on the escalating situation in the region.
The French leader also reiterated the call for Hezbollah to halt its terrorist activities against Israel and its citizens. Specific details regarding the additional military resources dispatched to the area were not provided, and the defense ministry was unavailable for immediate comment.
Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot engaged in discussions with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to align their diplomatic initiatives, according to the ministry’s statement.
Last week, Paris and Washington sought to establish a temporary ceasefire in Lebanon, just hours prior to Israel’s airstrikes that resulted in the death of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.
The foreign ministry announced that it had called for a U.N. Security Council meeting to address the ongoing situation in the Middle East, scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.
The French presidency indicated plans to soon host a conference aimed at supporting Lebanon and has instructed the foreign minister to visit the region to facilitate diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions.
“Concerned for the safety and welfare of our citizens in Lebanon and the broader Middle East, the head of state has mandated that all necessary actions be taken to assist them and provide aid if required,” the presidency stated.
In a proactive measure, France dispatched a helicopter carrier to the region on Monday to prepare for a potential evacuation order.
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