And... the French carrier just happens to be in the Arabian Sea right now... I think that there's a lot more going on here than meets the eye.
Which prompts a new variation on the classic joke: "If the Iranians attack the American Navy, would the French help?"
"would the French help?"
Nope, the only effective fighting force the Frence have is the foreign legion. It is only effective because it is NOT manned entirely with Frenchmen.
Besides, a French carrier would probably surrender if fired upon by a tug boat, or they would try to sell it to the Iranians. The Frence are the whores of the world, willing to sell anything to anyone at anytime.