France Bolsters Efforts to Repatriate Citizens Stranded by Iran War

On the fourth floor of the French foreign ministry in central Paris, about 20 Red Cross volunteers were taking calls from distressed French citizens stranded in the Middle East. It is one of three government-run crisis centers, staffed around the clock to help repatriate tens of thousands of people after the outbreak of war in Iran.

“Our priority is the safety of our citizens,” said Éléonore Caroit, the minister responsible for citizens abroad, during a visit to the center. The repatriation program forms part of a broader government response that aims to show resolve after Europe was sidelined by President Trump in the buildup to the conflict.

President Emmanuel Macron has declined to join American and Israeli strikes, calling them illegal, and instead has sent defensive weapons and deployed about a dozen warships. Officials say those ships are intended to defend allies such as Cyprus, protect shipping off the Iranian coast and, if needed, assist with evacuations; experts note they constitute more than half the French battle fleet.

France, Paris

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