France’s defense minister revealed on 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.
“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.
כוחות צבא צרפת לא השתתפו במתקפות על איראן.
— La France en Israël (@franceenisrael) June 26, 2025
עם זאת, אנו מגינים על הבסיסים שלנו באזור מתוך הגנה עצמית לגיטימית.
מערכות ההגנה קרקע-אוויר שלנו ומטוסי הראפאל יירטו מספר רחפנים איראניים שהיו בדרכם לישראל ועברו מעל המתקנים שלנו. https://t.co/CMQK0EsAT5
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.
Israeli officials said the operation aimed to degrade Iran’s nuclear weapons program and eliminate key figures in its military leadership.
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.
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 conflict drew international concern over potential regional escalation, prompting efforts to broker a ceasefire, which took effect on Tuesday.
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.
