New tensions have emerged between Paris and Tehran after an Iranian news agency published an aerial photograph of a military base in the United Arab Emirates housing both French and American forces.
A Silent, Ominous Publication
The image, released by Iran’s Fars news agency—which is close to the country’s Revolutionary Guards—shows the Al Dhafra air base. The publication included no context or commentary, leading to fears it constitutes a veiled threat against France or the United States.
French President Emmanuel Macron addressed the situation directly. “We are very vigilant about this situation,” he stated on Tuesday. He emphasized that French forces in the region are deployed in “the most reinforced security situations” and that all necessary measures have been taken to ensure troop safety.
Broader Context of Escalating Rhetoric
The provocative image follows a significant escalation in rhetoric from Tehran. Iran recently announced it would consider European armies as “terrorist groups.” This declaration is a retaliatory move after the European Union formally designated Iran’s Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization, citing its role in the violent suppression of protests.
A senior Iranian judicial official, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, warned last Friday that the EU’s “hostile action… will not go unanswered,” promising consequences for the decision.
Strategic Importance of Al Dhafra Base
The Al Dhafra base, located approximately 40 kilometers from Abu Dhabi, is the largest military base in the UAE. It hosts Emirati aircraft and has housed a French air base since 2008. It is also home to the US Air Force’s 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, which has been stationed there since 2002.
The publication of the photo is also seen as a signal to the United States. The administration of former President Donald Trump had previously deployed warships to the region and maintained a threat of military intervention against Iran.
Diplomatic Channels Remain Open
Despite the tensions, diplomatic efforts continue. Talks between the involved parties, mediated by Egypt, Qatar, Oman, and Turkey, are reportedly scheduled to take place soon, with a source suggesting they would “likely” occur on Friday in Turkey.
President Macron concluded his remarks by noting that France has “assessed” the situation “with several of our allies and partners in recent days,” underscoring a coordinated international response to the perceived threat.
