PARIS, July 3 (Xinhua) -- The French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is returning to its home port of Toulon from the Middle East, French President Emmanuel Macron announced Friday on social media platform X.

A soldier is seen onboard the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle docked at Changi Naval Base, Singapore, May 28, 2019. (File photo: Xinhua)

The carrier had been deployed to the region in preparation for a French and British-led multinational maritime security mission in the Strait of Hormuz.

Macron said in his X post that a recent memorandum of understanding signed between the United States and Iran represents "significant progress" for regional stability, prompting France to adjust its presence in the Middle East.

However, French mine-clearance assets and their escort assets will remain in place, ready to conduct operations with partners, Macron added.

The Charles de Gaulle is currently in the Mediterranean Sea, according to French media reports citing the president's office.

France and Britain announced in mid-April that they would lead a defensive, multinational escort mission in the Strait of Hormuz. France deployed the carrier to the Middle East in May to prepare for the official launch of the operation once hostilities ceased.

The United States and Iran reached an agreement on the memorandum of understanding on June 14. The following day, Macron said the Charles de Gaulle could arrive in the Strait of Hormuz within two to three days in the framework of the escort mission if the situation permitted.