France to increase its number of nuclear warheads, Macron says – Europe live

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Macron repeats that 'to be free, one must be feared' as he speaks of need to step up defence spending, readiness

In his remarks, drawing among other on Russia’s activities in Ukraine and Europe, Macron also stressed the need to improve France’s – and the continent – broader ability to detect threats and acts against them as he says that “to be strong in our nuclear deterrence, we must be strong in our conventional capabilities.”

He stresses his regular point that Europe needs to step up its defence capabilities.

“To be free, one must be feared, and to be feared, one must be powerful. This increase in our arsenal is proof of that.”

France to increase the number of nuclear warheads, Macron says

In his speech, Macron warns that since the last speech in 2020, “our competitors have evolved, as have our partners,” and this requires a change in the French nuclear doctrine.

He says the deterrent element needs to be “strengthened,” brought “forward” in a more preventative way, and considered in the European context, while respecting the French sovereignty and that the ultimate responsibility for its use will always lie with the French president of the day.

But he says that in recognition of the new challenges, France will need to increase the size of its nuclear arsenal.

He says he has ordered the increase in the number of warheads available to France, but will not reveal the exact number.

Macron speaks about France's nuclear doctrine

French president Emmanuel Macron is speaking in Île Longue, the naval base of the French nuclear programme, outlining his thinking on how France could use its nuclear deterrence programme in the future.

I will bring you all the key lines here.

Nato secretary general Mark Rutte has been speaking to BBC in the last half hour.

He said the Europeans were “stepping up” their political support for the US, specifically pointing to German chancellor Friedrich Merz’s trip to Washington tomorrow and UK prime minister Keir Starmer’s decision to allow US military to use UK bases for defensive operations.

He repeatedly declined to say if he had known about the US plan to attack Iran in advance, saying he was bound by confidentiality of his engagement with the US.

He said he did not expect Nato forces to be involved, as it continues to be a US-Israeli operation, but he said that the alliance’s view remained that the Iranian regime was a “threat.”

US defence secretary Hegseth briefing media on US operations in Iran

US defence secretary Pete Hegseth is now briefing the media on the US operations in Iran.

Here are his key points:

“We didn’t start this war, but under president Trump, we are finishing it.”

“The former regime had every chance to make a peaceful and sensible deal, but Tehran was not negotiating,”

“This is not Iraq. This is not endless. I was there for both. Our generation knows better, and so does this president”

If you want more detail on his presser, it’s here:

US aircraft leave Spain after government says bases cannot be used for Iran attacks

We are also hearing more from Spain, with the country’s foreign minister José Manuel Albares saying the country would not allow its military bases to be used for attacks on Iran, which Spain has condemned.

15 US aircraft have left the Rota and Moron military bases in southern Spain since the US and Israel launched weekend attacks on Iran, maps by flight tracking website FlightRadar24 showed, as reported by Reuters.

“Spanish bases are not being used for this operation, and they will not be used for anything not included in the agreement with the United States or for anything that is not in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations,” Albares said, speaking to Spanish broadcaster Telecinco.

Evacuation of Paphos airport in Cyprus over, authorities say

In the meantime, the Cypriot government has confirmed that the evacuation of Paphos airport is now over, but the airport continues to report disruptions in its flight schedule for this afternoon with delays and divertions.

Spain's Sánchez warns against 'spiral of violence' in Middle East

in Madrid

Spain’s Pedro Sánchez has warned against “spiral of violence” in the Middle East.

In a post on X, he said:

“In the past few hours, Iran has attacked Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Cyprus, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, and Oman. We forcefully condemn all illegal and indiscriminate attacks against the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and other countries in the region. We also condemn Hezbollah’s missile launch and Israel’s attack on Lebanon.

Violence only leads to more violence. Bombs hit military targets, but also streets, airports, schools, and the homes of innocent civilians.

This spiral of violence must be stopped immediately, and there must be a return to the framework of diplomacy and dialogue.”

Greece to send frigates, F-16 fighter jets to support Cyprus

Greece will send two frigates and two F-16 fighter jets to Cyprus “to contribute to its defense against the threats it faces,” Greek defence minister Nikos Dendias has confirmed.

He said he will also travel to Cyprus tomorrow.

The move was also confirmed by the Cypriot government, saying the decision was made after a phone call between the Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the Cypriot president, Nikos Christodoulides.

Aktoriti area, Paphos airport being evacuated, Cyprus says

The Cypriot interior ministry has just confirmed that “instructions have been issued for the evacuation of the Akrotiri municipal district and Paphos airport,” with residents in another area told to “limit unnecessary movements” and “remain in their homes.”

Larnaka airport in Cyprus reporting disruptions

Civilian Larnaka airport in southern Cyprus also appears to be facing disruptions amid warnings over Cypriot airspace with three flights – from Belgrade, Rome and Heraklion in Greece – redirected to either Athens or back to Heraklion and dozens more cancelled this afternoon.