French jets struck Islamic State targets in Iraq today, taking off from the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier for the first time, the military said on Twitter.

The tweet said two targets had been destroyed, without elaborating.

France's defence minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, had told Europe 1 radio yesterday the flagship of the French Navy, deployed to the eastern Mediterranean to back France's involvement in air strikes in Iraq and Syria, would be fully operational from Monday.

French President Francois Hollande also said last week France would step up its attacks against Islamic State targets in Syria. He has also called for a grand coalition, including the United States and Russia, to eradicate Islamic State, and is due to meet with Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin this week.