Macron in Cyprus today, French warships heading to the Mediterranean

(Patria) - President Emmanuel Macron will visit Cyprus today, his office announced, as France deploys warships to the Mediterranean following a drone attack on the island, a member of the European Union, a few days ago, AFP reported.

Macron will meet with his Cypriot counterpart Nikos Christodoulides and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Paphos to show "solidarity" and detail steps to "strengthen security around Cyprus and in the eastern Mediterranean," the Elysée Palace said on Sunday.

The visit will take place as the war between the United States and Israel against Iran enters its second week, affecting much of the Middle East.

Cyprus was targeted by Iranian drones on Monday, prompting Macron to send the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to the Mediterranean, along with frigates and an air defense unit to Cyprus.

"This trip aims to demonstrate French solidarity with Cyprus, an EU member state with which we have a strategic partnership" and which has recently been hit by "several drone and missile attacks," the Elysée Palace stated.

Macron later said he had spoken with his American and Iranian counterparts before the trip.

Macron, the first Western leader to speak with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian since the war began, said on social media platform X that he "stressed the need for Iran to immediately cease its attacks on countries in the region." He called on Iran to guarantee freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

He did not provide details about his conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump.

Security of the Strait of Hormuz

France has insisted that its stance in the region is "strictly defensive." The visit to Cyprus will also allow Macron "to emphasize the importance of guaranteeing freedom of navigation and maritime security in the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz, particularly through the European Union's Aspides naval operation," it added.

Numerous attacks have hit ships sailing through the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint in the Gulf, since the start of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran on February 28.

Cypriot government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said the visit would allow the leaders of Cyprus, Greece, and France to assess the "high level of coordination" between their countries.

Letymbiotis highlighted the role of Italy, which, like the United Kingdom, has deployed a warship to Cyprus.

On Sunday, Macron wrote on X that he had also spoken with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and the presidents of Egypt and Azerbaijan.

Discussing the region with Al Thani, Macron said he stressed France's "defensive military support," particularly in the air, which he noted was deployed "for the benefit of Qatar."

"Qatar and France share the same conviction: beyond the clash of arms, lasting stability for all must come through de-escalation and negotiation," Macron added.

Macron also said he offered France's "support and solidarity" to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev after a drone attack on the country, which borders Iran, raised fears that the Middle East war could spread to the Caucasus.

With Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, he discussed "the importance of securing maritime transport in the Red Sea as quickly as possible," including energy resources, Macron said on social media platform X.

Tags: France, Cyprus, Emmanuel Macron, Iran, Middle East, Israel