France announced on Friday that the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is returning to its home port of Toulon, ending a deployment to the Middle East that began in mid-May. President Emmanuel Macron stated on social media that the decision was taken “in light of the favourable development” represented by the memorandum of understanding signed between the United States and Iran on 17 June, and after “constructive exchanges” with the Sultan of Oman. The carrier’s departure, however, does not mark a full French withdrawal: mine-countermeasure vessels and their escorts remain in the region.

The Charles de Gaulle was dispatched to the Gulf as war erupted between Iran and the United States, following a US-Israeli military strike on Iran on 28 February. Tehran responded by mining and blocking the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for global oil shipments, triggering price volatility and supply disruptions. According to French defence officials at the time, the carrier was placed on standby for a potential “neutral” mission to help secure freedom of navigation. The subsequent US-Iranian memorandum, mediated by Pakistan and Qatar, opened a 60-day negotiation window aimed at a durable ceasefire, which Paris views as a significant step toward regional stability.

While the carrier returns to the Mediterranean, France is maintaining two tripartite minehunters, two frigates and a maritime patrol aircraft in the area. Macron said these assets are “ready to contribute, with our partners, to the full resumption of navigation and to guarantee the security of traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.” In a joint declaration issued after talks in Paris, France and Oman agreed to conduct joint demining operations in the strait. The Élysée Palace confirmed that the Charles de Gaulle is currently in the Mediterranean and that France will continue to adjust its military posture according to the evolving situation and regional security requirements.

Viewed from Gulf capitals, the French repositioning signals a cautious but tangible de-escalation. The withdrawal of a major power-projection platform suggests a degree of confidence in the diplomatic track, yet the sustained mine-countermeasure presence underscores that the threat to shipping has not been eliminated. The 60-day negotiation period between Washington and Tehran remains the critical variable; its outcome will determine whether the Strait of Hormuz can return to normal traffic patterns. For now, Paris is calibrating its force posture to match a conflict that has moved from open hostilities to a fragile diplomatic process.