France strengthens Middle East defences after Iranian attacks

The US-Israeli strikes have led France to "step up its defensive posture to stand alongside those with whom we have defence treaties", he said after the second defence council meeting on the conflict in as many days.

It was necessary to "adjust our stance in light of recent developments, which nothing justifies and which we will not let pass", he said, indicating a possible surge in French military resources in the region.

Iranian strikes have targeted all Gulf countries. France is also making arrangements to repatriate its citizens once the airspace is reopened, he added.

Government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon has previously said that repatriations will be carried out "when the situation allows".

Bregeon also said that France "could only be satisfied" at the death of Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei.