France authorizes U.S. support aircraft at Istres base, bars any role in Iran strikes
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France’s military said it has authorized the temporary presence of U.S. aircraft providing operational support at the Istres air base in southeastern France, emphasizing the authorization does not cover combat aircraft.
The French general staff said Paris set a clear condition: the U.S. assets must not take part “in any way” in operations conducted in Iran, and must be limited to supporting the defense of France’s partners in the region. It added that France received “full guarantees” on that point.
A separate report described the move as a routine arrangement within NATO frameworks, while French officials underlined that the approval is confined to logistical capabilities such as refuelling, not combat involvement.
The decision comes as France says it is maintaining a strictly defensive posture amid the regional escalation, following remarks by President Emmanuel Macron criticizing strikes on Iran as being carried out outside the framework of international law, alongside announcements of additional French military deployments in the western Mediterranean.
