France has confirmed that it is allowing U.S. military support aircraft to use one of its air bases for logistical missions related to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, while insisting that the planes will not participate in combat operations.
In a statement on Thursday, March 5, the French general staff said U.S. aircraft providing operational support had been authorised to land at the Istres Air Base.
Officials stressed that the aircraft involved are not combat planes and will only carry out support roles.
“U.S. aircraft providing operational support not combat aircraft have been accepted at the Istres air base in France,” the military said.
The French government said it had secured guarantees from Washington that the aircraft using its facilities would not take part in strike operations against Iran.
According to the French military, the planes will only provide logistical assistance linked to the defence of allied partners in the region.
France added that the arrangement falls within routine procedures under the framework of NATO cooperation.
President Emmanuel Macron has repeatedly emphasised that France will maintain a “strictly defensive” position in the escalating conflict.
Earlier this week, Macron criticised the bombing campaign carried out by the United States and Israel against Iran, saying the operations were conducted “outside international law”.
However, he also blamed Tehran for contributing to the wider regional escalation that followed the initial strikes.
French Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin clarified that the aircraft landing at the Istres base are primarily refuelling planes.
“A refuelling aircraft is a service station; it is not a fighter jet,” Vautrin told reporters.
She explained that the authorisation granted by the French president was limited strictly to refuelling and other support activities.
As tensions continue to rise in the Middle East, France has also taken steps to strengthen its defensive presence in the region.
Vautrin confirmed that French Dassault Rafale fighter jets will patrol regional airspace to deter attacks on Gulf partners.
Six additional Rafale aircraft have already been deployed to the United Arab Emirates, which has reportedly been targeted by Iranian missile attacks.
“France isn’t at war,” Vautrin said. “We are taking a stance of defending. We are not attacking anyone.”
The minister also said a French aircraft carrier group would soon arrive in the eastern Mediterranean Sea to reinforce the country’s military presence.
Europe divided over U.S. requests
European governments have taken different positions on whether to support U.S. military operations linked to the conflict.
Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, has refused to allow Washington to use Spanish bases for the war effort despite threats of economic retaliation.
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer initially rejected a similar request but later allowed the United States to use two UK bases for what he described as a “specific and limited defensive purpose”.
As part of broader European security coordination, Macron has also held discussions with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on efforts to protect commercial shipping routes in the Red Sea.
Several European nations, including Spain and Netherlands, have also dispatched naval vessels to help defend Cyprus after the island was targeted by drone attacks during the early stages of the conflict.
