PARIS – France’s Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu confirmed on Wednesday that the French military intercepted several Iranian drones aimed at Israel in the days leading up to the recently declared ceasefire. Speaking during a parliamentary debate on the Middle East crisis, Lecornu said the French army actively participated in efforts to prevent further escalation.
“I can confirm that the French army intercepted less than 10 drones in the last few days during the different military operations conducted by the Islamic Republic of Iran against Israel,” he stated. The interceptions were carried out using both ground-to-air defense systems and Rafale fighter jets.
Lecornu’s remarks mark one of the few public acknowledgments of France’s direct involvement in the defense of Israeli airspace during the intense 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel. The statement also reinforces France’s position as an active security partner in the region during critical moments of heightened tension.
Read: UN Warns Israeli Law Enabling Forcible Transfer of Palestinians Is a War Crime
Iran Fired 1,000 Drones, 400 Missiles at Israel
According to the French defense minister, Iran launched around 400 ballistic missiles and approximately 1,000 drones toward Israeli territory during the conflict. These figures underline the scale of the offensive and the potential damage averted through coordinated international defense efforts.
While most of the drones and missiles were intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome and its allies, France’s contribution adds to the multi-nation response that reportedly included the United States, the United Kingdom, and Jordan.
The 12-day conflict, which triggered fears of a broader regional war, came to an end earlier this week after intense diplomatic pressure from Washington and other global powers. The ceasefire has held so far, but tensions in the region remain high.
Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook,, X and TikTok for latest updates
