In contrast, France intends to send vessels to protect the Strait of Hormuz trade route, after Iran choked off the vital shipping lane. In response, global markets tumbled and oil rose to more than $100 a barrel, placing pressure on US President Donald Trump’s ability to continue prosecuting his war. Mr Macron pledged to help safeguard the 25-mile-wide Strait of Hormuz by deploying a flotilla of eight ships, which are expected to operate alongside US forces once what he described as “the hottest phase of the conflict” has passed.

Mr Macron is currently visiting Cyprus, where Britain’s RAF base Akrotiri came under attack from drones in the early days of the war.

In what appeared to be a veiled criticism of Sir Keir Starmer, the French president declared that “an attack on Cyprus is an attack on all Europe,” as the Royal Navy scrambles to deploy just one vessel.

France already maintains a significant military footprint in the Middle East, including forces stationed in the United Arab Emirates, allowing it to respond quickly to developments in the region.

The announcement has prompted comparisons with the Royal Navy’s current operational strength.

The UK has six Type 45 destroyers, but only HMS Dragon is believed to be ready for deployment and is expected to head to the eastern Mediterranean to help protect Britain’s sovereign base areas at Akrotiri and Dhekelia in Cyprus.

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Of the fleet’s seven frigates, only HMS Somerset and HMS St Albans are thought to be available for tasking, with the remainder undergoing maintenance or dealing with technical issues.

The situation has fuelled renewed debate over the size and readiness of the Royal Navy’s surface fleet at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions.

US President Donald Trump had criticised the UK for its reluctance to join the US-led conflict in the Middle East, after reports that the HMS Prince of Wales could be sent to the region emerged.

Mr Trump said “we don’t need them any longer” and “we don’t need people that join wars after we’ve already won!”.