Improved defenses in the Channel and the stabilization of the front in early 1915 allowed the cruisers to be released from their tasks, so "Kléber" was transferred to the Dardanelles to support Allied forces in the Gallipoli Campaign in May. She was assigned to the Dardanelles Squadron () when that unit was formed on 16 May. The ship briefly ran aground off Scala Nuova Bay and was engaged by coastal artillery without effect before she could free herself. "Kléber", "Dupleix", and the armored cruisers and were now assigned to blockade the coast of Asia Minor, based out of Lesbos. "Kléber" collided with the Royal Australian Navy troopship HMT "Boorara" in the Aegean Sea on 17 July 1915, forcing "Boorara" to beach herself on Mudros and damaging the cruiser's bow.