Macron said the deployment of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle along with eight warships and two helicopter carriers is strictly “defensive” and designed to protect French nationals and regional partners without making France a direct party to the conflict.

The deployment comes after a French soldier was killed in a drone attack near Irbil in northern Iraq, where French forces are training Iraqi units as part of a multinational counterterrorism mission.

France has also strengthened its air presence in the United Arab Emirates, doubling the number of Rafale fighter jets at its base in Abu Dhabi to 12. French authorities said Rafale jets have intercepted drones targeting the UAE since the conflict began.

France maintains defense agreements with Gulf states including Qatar, Kuwait and the UAE, and also has forces deployed in Jordan and Iraq. Officials say the naval presence will help respond to emergencies and facilitate the evacuation of French nationals if needed. France has more than 400,000 citizens living in the Middle East, including large communities in Israel and the UAE.

Alongside the military buildup, Macron has intensified diplomatic outreach. He has spoken with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump, calling for a diplomatic solution to the conflict and urging de-escalation.

France is also attempting to mediate tensions in Lebanon, where clashes between Israel and the militant group Hezbollah have intensified. Paris, which maintains troops in the UN peacekeeping mission there, has sent humanitarian aid and continues to support the Lebanese military.

Macron said on the social media platform X that he had spoken with Iraq’s prime minister a day after the attack and welcomed Baghdad’s commitment to investigate the incident and strengthen protection for foreign forces stationed in the country.

“Yesterday, I spoke with the Iraqi prime minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani,” Macron wrote. “I thank him for his commitment to getting to the bottom of this attack and to strengthening measures to protect our forces, who are present in Iraq to fight, alongside the Iraqis, against the scourge of terrorism.”

French forces are deployed in Iraq as part of international efforts supporting Iraqi security forces in combating militant groups.

In a separate message on Saturday, Macron said France was ready to facilitate ceasefire discussions between Israel and Lebanon in Paris, signalling diplomatic engagement as tensions between Israel and the Iran-aligned Lebanese group Hezbollah continue to escalate.

Macron said Lebanese leaders were open to direct discussions with Israel and urged Israel to “seize this opportunity to launch ceasefire discussions, to find a lasting solution and to allow the Lebanese authorities to put in place their engagements for Lebanon’s sovereignty.”

The French president called on Israel to halt its offensive and urged Hezbollah to stop its actions, warning that continued hostilities risk pushing Lebanon into deeper instability.

“Everything must be done to stop Lebanon from descending into chaos,” Macron said.

France has historically maintained close political and economic ties with Lebanon and has frequently positioned itself as a diplomatic intermediary in crises involving the Mediterranean state.

The meeting, opened by French President Emmanuel Macron, brings together major nuclear stakeholders including the United States and China, while Russia one of the world’s largest nuclear powers is absent following its invasion of Ukraine.

The summit takes place as global energy markets remain volatile and policymakers reconsider nuclear power’s role in reducing dependence on fossil fuels and meeting climate goals.

Civilian nuclear power faced a sharp decline in public support after the Fukushima nuclear disaster, which intensified safety concerns previously raised by the Chernobyl disaster.However, interest has revived in recent years as governments emphasise energy sovereignty and the need for stable low-carbon electricity sources.

According to the World Nuclear Association, nuclear power currently accounts for roughly nine percent of global electricity production, with about 440 reactors operating across roughly 30 countries.

According to the World Nuclear Association, nuclear power currently accounts for roughly nine percent of global electricity production, with about 440 reactors operating across roughly 30 countries.

The conference is co-sponsored by the International Atomic Energy Agency and the International Energy Agency, both of which have called for greater investment in nuclear generation.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said on Monday that around 40 countries had either begun building reactors or were considering doing so.

The agency has projected that global nuclear power generation could double by 2050 if governments accelerate deployment and investment.

China continues to lead new nuclear construction. The IAEA said the country is building 29 reactors in addition to the 57 already in operation.

IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said Europe in particular has an interest in strengthening energy sovereignty by expanding domestic clean energy capacity.

Birol said this strategy would include scaling up renewable sources such as solar and wind while also enabling what he described as a “strong comeback” for nuclear power in the global energy mix.