Catherine Field: France Correspondent on the Middle East conflict, impact on the stock market, increased defence assets

The UK and France are sending more defence assets to the Middle East as the conflict's death toll ticks over 1700.   Iran has appointed the son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as its new Supreme Leader, signalling a defiance to the US and Israel.   Many of the deaths so far have occurred within Iran and Lebanon, with Israel ramping up its strikes.    French President Emmanuel Macron says his country will deploy 10 warships and an aircraft carrier to nearby waters as a defensive measure.  France Correspondent Catherine Field told Mike Hosking that Macron is saying what most other European leaders are saying – they are there to protect their interests, assets, and citizens.   She says they’re defending their assets and allies in the area, but they’re not getting involved in the wider conflict.   LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.