Despite its commitment to the Iran nuclear deal and its efforts with European countries to hinder impending US sanctions, Paris is not overlooking the negative aspects of Tehran’s policies. This was confirmed by French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, who, without a doubt, still remembers the difficult visit he made to the Iranian capital in March.
He described to French Info radio on Wednesday Iran as a “dangerous force”, saying that ties with it are not limited to the nuclear file. There are other aspects, such as its ballistic missiles program and its destabilizing regional role in Syria and Yemen and its militias in Lebanon.
Paris “is telling Iran that all this is unacceptable and we want to talk to you about all of these issues,” Le Drian added.
Based on these statements, France wants to reach a comprehensive deal that still calls for maintaining the nuclear pact.
This is where Paris differs from Washington, which also wants a comprehensive deal, but rejects the current nuclear agreement.
The United States pulled out from the deal in May, while all the other signatories, including the European powers, China and Russia, have voiced their commitment to it. Washington also announced that it was re-imposing the sanctions against Iran. One phase of the sanctions will go into force on Monday, while the second phase will take effect on November 4.
Le Drian defended the deal, explaining that it helped avert the proliferation of nuclear weapons and prevented Iran from developing a nuclear bomb.
“The nuclear deal still stands despite the US withdrawal,” however, he warned that Tehran must not get “too comfortable” in wake of Europe’s stances.
Tehran had threatened to pull out from the deal if Europe was unable to secure guarantees for it to continue its oil exports and trade and investment relations in spite of renewed American sanctions.
This has posed a real challenge to Europe and French diplomatic sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Tehran “is in no position to make warnings or impose conditions.”
This prompted Le Drian to say: “We are saying to Iran that we will remain in the deal as long as you do. If you abandon your commitments and duties, then we will pull out.”
Commenting on US President Donald Trump’s surprise proposal on Monday to hold unconditional talks with the Iranians, Le Drian compared this move to his approach on North Korea, “whereby he attacks, takes strict measures and then, suggests dialogue.”
