French carrier Charles de Gaulle stays near Hormuz 'until further order' as Iran rebuffs US deal claim

The French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle will stay in the Strait of Hormuz region "until further order," the French Armed Forces stated on Sunday, rejecting press reports that the vessel would soon depart for maintenance in Toulon. The denial came as President Donald Trump claimed the United States would sign a deal with Iran to end the Middle East war and immediately reopen the strategic waterway, only for Tehran to later dismiss further talks as "useless" without fulfilled commitments.

Chronology of a standoff

The Charles de Gaulle and its escort arrived in mid-May and were prepositioned off the Arabian Peninsula, ready to launch a neutral mission to restore navigation through the Hormuz strait if Washington and Tehran lifted their mutual blockades. On Saturday, press reports said the carrier would leave within days for a repair period set to begin in July. The French military moved quickly to dismiss those accounts, with the Armed Forces chief and its spokesperson insisting that maintenance deadlines can be postponed and that operational contingencies take priority.

“The Charles de Gaulle remains in the zone until further order. No decision has been taken at this time about a return.”

The same day, Trump said the US would sign a peace deal with Iran, a pact he described as providing for the immediate reopening of the strait. Hours later, Iran's leadership stated it was "useless to continue" talks if commitments were not kept.

The neutral coalition mission

France and the United Kingdom lead a maritime coalition of about 40 non-belligerent countries. Their proposed mission would secure the strait once Iran and the US agree to lift their respective blockades, acting in coordination with both nations. France's Minister Delegate for Armed Forces Alice Rufo had earlier confirmed the carrier's prepositioning for exactly that scenario.

“Technical deadlines are taken into account but they are not the only elements integrated into operational planning. France remains particularly committed to maintaining freedom of navigation.”

Oil markets under pressure

The blockage of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted hydrocarbon exports from the Gulf, pushing up prices and weighing on the global economy. The strait is a critical artery for world oil supply, and its prolonged closure adds urgency to the diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire and a maritime security framework.