France shot down Iranian drones aimed at Israel before ceasefire
France's defense minister revealed Wednesday that his country's military intercepted Iranian drones targeting Israel in the days leading up to the ceasefire that ended 12 days of direct and active war between the Middle Eastern nations.
Speaking in a parliamentary debate on the Middle East, Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu said the French armed forces downed 'fewer than 10 drones' launched by Iran during its attacks on Israel, according to Reuters.
The interceptions were carried out using Rafale fighter jets and ground-to-air systems.
4 France's defense minister, Sébastien Lecornu, revealed that his country's military intercepted Iranian drones targeting Israel in the days leading up to the ceasefire between the Middle Eastern nations.
AFP via Getty Images
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'I can confirm that the French army intercepted fewer than 10 drones in the last few days during the different military operations conducted by the Islamic Republic of Iran against Israel,' Lecornu said.
His remarks shed light on France's quiet but active military role in the region during the recent conflict.
The interceptions were carried out using Rafale fighter jets and ground-to-air systems.
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The campaign began when Israel launched a surprise offensive against Iranian military, intelligence, and nuclear infrastructure on June 13, over fears the Islamic Republic was drawing perilously close to functioning atomic weapons.
4 'I can confirm that the French army intercepted fewer than 10 drones in the last few days during the different military operations conducted by the Islamic Republic of Iran against Israel,' Lecornu said.
AFP via Getty Images
Israeli officials said the operation aimed to degrade Iran's nuclear weapons program and eliminate key figures in its military leadership.
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According to Lecornu, Iran responded by firing roughly 400 ballistic missiles and 1,000 drones toward Israel.
Tehran's attacks killed 28 people and caused damage across Israeli cities.
4 Iran has launched a fresh wave of missiles and drones toward Israel amid the ongoing war between the two nations.
Natascha Tahabsem/ZUMA Press Wire / SplashNews.com
4 A destroyed room of a residential building is seen in the Saadat Abad neighborhood of Tehran that was struck by an Israeli attack on June 13.
Getty Images
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The Israeli strikes, meanwhile, reportedly killed hundreds of people in Iran, with some outlets suggesting more than 600—including top commanders and nuclear scientists—and wounded nearly 5,000 others.
The United States, under President Donald Trump, expressed strong support for Israel's right to self-defense throughout the fighting, and its B-2 stealth bombers were instrumental in destroying three of Iran's nuclear sites.
France's role in intercepting Iranian drones underscores the involvement of Western powers in containing Iran's regional ambitions.
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