What does France’s nuclear carrier deployment mean for the Iran war?

France has deployed its only nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, to the eastern Mediterranean in response to escalating tensions following the outbreak of the Iran war. This move comes shortly after Iran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint through which about 20 percent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas passes. The Charles de Gaulle, weighing 42,500 tons and powered by two K15 nuclear reactors, carries around 20 Rafale fighter jets and two E-2C Hawkeye early warning aircraft, which will help secure regional airspace. The vessel was redirected from operations in the North Atlantic and is expected to take about 10 days to reach the eastern Mediterranean. The Charles de Gaulle, commissioned in 2001, is France’s most advanced naval asset and has a history of involvement in major conflicts, including Afghanistan, Libya, and operations against ISIS. It typically operates with 20 to 30 aircraft equipped with long-range SCALP