France authorizes US forces to use French military bases for Iran operations

French broadcaster BFMTV reported that France has authorized American armed forces to use French military bases in support of the ongoing operation against Iran. Elysee sources confirmed the decision to French media. The announcement came hours after Spain had formally refused to allow the US to use Rota Naval Base and Moron Air Base for Iran operations, prompting an extraordinary trade threat from President Trump. France's decision to go in the opposite direction underscores the divergence within Europe on the war: France backing the coalition with both basing rights and its carrier strike group, while Spain and Canada have publicly condemned the operation. France's Charles de Gaulle carrier strike group is already transiting toward the eastern Mediterranean. Combined with French basing authorization, France is now the most militarily committed European partner in Operation Iron Resolve. Macron has framed French involvement as protective and humanitarian, but the military footprint tells a different story.