PARIS, March 3 (Reuters): President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday said France was sending its ​aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to the Mediterranean and to build a coalition that would help secure maritime traffic imperiled by the escalating crisis in the Middle East.

In a televised ​address to the nation, Macron said that action needed ​to be taken with the Straits of Hormuz closed ⁠and the Suez Canal and Red Sea shipping routes threatened ​by the widening conflict.

"We have economic interests to protect, because ​oil prices, gas prices and the international trade situation are being profoundly disrupted by this war.," Macron said.

He said France had also sent a ​frigate to Cyprus and had shot down drones in the skies ​above its Gulf allies. Rafale jets were among the assets being used .

"We have defense ⁠that bind us to Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates. The latter are particularly targeted, and we owe them solidarity," Macron said.

He said France was helping its citizens who wanted ​to leave the ​region get ⁠out and that two flights were due to arrive in Paris on Tuesday evening. Security had ​also been reinforced at some sites in France, ​he ⁠added.

Macron said Iran itself "bears primary responsibility" for the U.S.-Israeli action, but added: "the United States of America and Israel have decided to ⁠launch military ​operations; they were conducted outside international ​law, which we cannot approve."

Photo from Reuters