French President Emmanuel Macron announced on March 9, with Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis flanking him, that France will be sending eight frigates and two amphibious assault ships to the Eastern Mediterranean and Red Sea, joining aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle, reported USNI News. “While the crisis in Iran—the war in Iran—is affecting the entire region, it is important for me to come here alongside you, along with the Prime Minister of Greece, to tell you that when Cyprus is attacked, it is Europe that is attacked, and that the defense of Cyprus is obviously a crucial issue for your country, for your neighbor, partner, and friend Greece, but also for France and, with it, the European Union,” he said.