•France to send warships, including Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier, to escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz.
•The move comes as Iran chokes the vital waterway, impacting 20-25% of the world's seaborne oil and gas.
•President Emmanuel Macron announced the 'unprecedented' mission to guarantee freedom of navigation and maritime security, calling it purely defensive.
•Oil prices surged past $100, with Brent crude hitting $119.50, and gas prices up 30% due to regional instability and production cuts.
•Macron condemned Iranian attacks on Gulf countries but also criticized American-Israeli actions against Iran as against international law.
