ALBAWABA- France has confirmed for the first time that its military intercepted Iranian drones targeting Israel during the recent 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel, marking a notable European military involvement in the escalating regional tensions.
Speaking during a parliamentary session on Wednesday night, French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu stated, “I can confirm that the French army intercepted fewer than 10 drones in the last few days during the various military operations conducted by the Islamic Republic of Iran against Israel, either through ground-to-air systems or via our Rafale fighter jets.”
The French Embassy in Israel also acknowledged the operation via a post on X, emphasizing that while France did not participate in any attacks on Iranian territory, its forces did act to protect Israeli targets by downing incoming Iranian drones.
This makes France the second European country, after Germany, to openly admit military support for Israel during the conflict. Germany had earlier supplied arms and ammunition, while the United States was heavily involved in direct coordination with Israeli defense systems and bombardment of the nuclear sites in Iran.
France's admission further fuels speculation about broader Western military involvement, including possible support through NATO-linked bases in Greece and other parts of the eastern Mediterranean.
Analysts suggest such support signals growing European involvement with U.S. policy in the region, particularly in the face of Iranian retaliation.
Meanwhile, France’s involvement in defending Israel recalls the earlier warning by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who in an April interview criticized Israel’s reliance on U.S. and Western military backing.
Commenting on the Israeli military campaign in Gaza, Fidan stated that such dependency “only deepens regional instability.” He emphasized that “security cannot come through escalation,” insisting that the only lasting guarantee for Israel’s security lies in recognizing the historical Palestinian rights and the implementation of a two-state solution with the Palestinians.
