French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that the country would do more to protect its citizens and bases in the Middle East, as well as support countries targeted by Iran, AFP reports.

The US-Israeli strikes have led France to “step up its defensive posture to stand alongside those with whom we have defence treaties”, he said after the second defence council meeting on the conflict in as many days.

It was necessary to “adjust our stance in light of recent developments, which nothing justifies and which we will not let pass”, he said, indicating a possible surge in French military resources in the region.

France is also making arrangements to repatriate its citizens once the airspace is reopened, Macron added.