Aviation General Patrick Dutartre was a guest on the 8 p.m. news on Tuesday, March 3rd.
Franceinfo: This morning, Iran warned Europeans against any involvement in the war. Should we see this as a threat? Could we, as French, be targeted, whether it’s our military bases or interests in the region?
Patrick Dutartre: Yes, of course, we could be targeted. Why? Because we share air bases with our partners, defense agreements. So, like others, like the Americans, we could be targeted because we are on bases facing Iran.
Emmanuel Macron said that if our allies were attacked, the United Arab Emirates, as well as Qatar or Kuwait, France would help them. What does this mean in concrete terms, defensive actions? How do we respond?
We have ground-based defense systems that can be used to protect the interests of the Emirates, Kuwaitis, or Qataris. Also, air defense means, we have planes that can intercept. And if there is a more significant attack, within the framework of our defense agreements, we can, with them, possibly take more significant action. But for now, it remains a hypothesis.
What does “more significant” mean?
It means that if you have missile bases attacking you, they can be targeted from their departure.
The French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle will head to the Mediterranean. What purpose can it serve in this context?
It serves as a complement to the air bases currently active, notably by the Air and Space Force. So, you have an aircraft carrier, with planes coming, you have the symbol of the aircraft carrier, and air defense systems that can help our friends in Cyprus or Britain. You know they have been attacked, so it serves our interests in the area.
Donald Trump says the war could last several weeks, four or five weeks. That could be very long.
Étienne Leenhardt, head of international service at France Télévisions: The problem for Donald Trump is that I’m not sure he decides the war’s duration, this existential war, life or death, between Israel and Iran. It’s Israel, supported by the United States, but the duration of this war will probably depend much more on the ability of what remains of the Iranian regime to resist Israeli strikes and carry out counter-attacks, as we have seen in the Persian Gulf for the last four days.
But do Israel and the Americans have the same objective? Israel wants a regime change. Are Trump and the Americans on the same line?
Étienne Leenhardt: We don’t quite understand exactly what Trump is looking for, as he has varied his statements a lot. What I believe he is politically seeking is a victory. Will he achieve it? It’s not certain. And will President Trump tend to withdraw if the political risk represented by this ongoing war is too significant for him? While the Israelis, again, will go all the way, they said it, and their goal is truly to get rid of the Iranian regime.
General Dutartre, one more question. Emmanuel Macron said in his speech: “we will form a coalition to defend the Strait of Hormuz,” this strip between southern Iran and northern Oman, where 20% of the world’s oil and 25% of gas transit. How can we protect this area from missiles and drones sent by Iran?
Patrick Dutartre: Simply by preventing the mullahs’ regime and the Revolutionary Guard from attacking the boats. So, if necessary, we will have to protect them and possibly destroy all threats that could occur in this zone. I think it is vital to ensure freedom of movement in the Strait of Hormuz because we are all concerned.
In a minute, the French are wondering if we will be dragged into this war. What can we tell them tonight?
Patrick Dutartre: France’s position is quite simple, it was relatively clear. We want peace, and we want diplomacy. But if we are threatened, we must be able to protect ourselves and our citizens.
Étienne Leenhardt: I believe the French President has been quite clear. He did not at all follow the path that the Israelis, supported by the Americans, are taking in this war. Will this be enough if the situation escalates to prevent France, in one way or another, from being involved in this war? History will tell.
