France, March 5 -- "US aircraft providing operational support (not combat aircraft) have been accepted at the Istres air base in France," the French general staff said in a statement.

"France has required that the assets involved in no way take part in the operations conducted by the United States in Iran, but strictly in support of the defence of our partners in the region. It has obtained full guarantees to that effect. This is a routine procedure within the framework of NATO."

Earlier reports on Thursday suggested that France would allow US planes to land at its bases in the Middle East, but a military spokesperson told news station Franceinfothat was not the case.

PresidentEmmanuel Macronhas insisted France will take a "strictly de...