France has accused Iran of stoking international tensions after a UN atomic weapons watchdog said that the country was flouting deals over its development of nuclear power.
The French reaction came after Iran announced it was constructing a new enrichment site and significantly increasing its production of enriched uranium in response to the rap from the International Atomic energy Agency (IAEA).
Oman talks
“Paris denounces Iran's deliberate pursuit of nuclear escalation," said a French foreign ministry spokesperson. “We urge Iran to return to the negotiating table.”
The French plea preceded a concerted EU attempt to calm tensions as Iranian and American negotiating teams prepare for talks in the Omani capital Mascate on Sunday.
Iran summons French envoy, calling minister's Cannes comments 'insulting'
The Iranian foreign affairs minister, Abbas Araghchi, conceded that the IAEA’s decision added a layer of complexity to the impending discussions with the US.
EU foreign policy chiefs warned of exacerbating regional conflict.
"We call on Iran to restore full cooperation with the IAEA and fully implement its obligations," said EU foreign policy spokesman Anouar El Anouni.
"We call on Iran to show restraint and avoid any step that would further escalate the situation," he added.
Following the Iranian move, Israel called for a decisive response.
The United States, Israel and other Western countries have repeatedly accused Iran of seeking a nuclear weapon, an accusation Tehran has denied.
France warns of sanctions on Iran if nuclear deal not reached
Main sticking point
Uranium enrichment remains the main sticking point in the talks aimed at placing limits on Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for lifting the heavy sanctions imposed on the country.
The US wants Iran to fully abandon uranium enrichment. Tehran refuses to comply.
According to the IAEA, Iran is the only non-nuclear-armed state enriching uranium to the high level of 60 percent. To build a nuclear bomb, enrichment must reach 90 percent.
A spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran said Iran had honoured its commitments to the IAEA, but had withdrawn from certain obligations tied to the 2015 nuclear deal with major powers, following the unilateral withdrawal of the United States in 2018.
France warns of military conflict if nuclear talks with Iran collapse
On Wednesday, Iran threatened to strike American military bases in the Middle East if a conflict were to follow a potential breakdown in negotiations.
Subsequently, a US official announced a reduction in staff at the US embassy in Baghdad for security reasons. Washington also restricted travel to Israel for US government employees and their families.
UN nuclear agency 'regrets' lack of Iranian cooperation
Since April, Washington and Tehran — which have had no diplomatic relations since 1980 — have been trying to reach a new agreement following the American withdrawal from the 2015 deal during Donald Trump’s first term and the reinstatement of US sanctions.
