Today’s Morning Jolt notes the approximate location of the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and its carrier group in the eastern Mediterranean – capable of protecting Cyprus and other regional allies from Iranian strikes, but some distance away from the Persian Gulf for any potential escort duties.

To their credit, the French Navy is keeping busy, as French president Emmanuel Macron announced this morning:

This morning in the Mediterranean, the French Navy intercepted and boarded another vessel from the shadow fleet, the Deyna. The war involving Iran will not deflect France from its support for Ukraine, where Russia’s war of aggression continues unabated. These vessels, which evade international sanctions and violate the law of the sea, are profiteers of war. They line their pockets while helping finance Russia’s war effort. We will not allow it.

This morning in the Mediterranean, the French Navy intercepted and boarded another vessel from the shadow fleet, the Deyna. The war involving Iran will not deflect France from its support for Ukraine, where Russia’s war of aggression continues unabated. These vessels, which evade international sanctions and violate the law of the sea, are profiteers of war. They line their pockets while helping finance Russia’s war effort. We will not allow it.

Meanwhile, two other Russian oil tankers are on their way to Cuba, in defiance of the Trump administration’s restrictions.

The tanker Sea Horse is one of the vessels making its way to Cuba, according to maritime intelligence firm Windward. The Hong Kong-flagged ship........

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