France wants to play a role in talks dealing with Iran’s nuclear programme and will not approve the lifting of UN sanctions unless it is satisfied by the terms of a final accord, its foreign minister said on Friday.
Jean-Noel Barrot, whose country is a veto-wielding member of the United Nations Security Council, told broadcaster franceinfo there would be no stability in the region unless US talks with Iran also dealt with Iran’s ballistic missile programme and support for proxies.
“The return for major concessions that will be asked of Iran is the lifting of sanctions, sanctions that were taken at the United Nations,” he said.
“France is a permanent member of the United Nations (Security Council), so as was the case 10 years ago, France will have to give its approval for the sanctions to be lifted.”
The agreement reached between the United States and Iran this week calls for negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme to take place over the next 60 days, with a final deal to be endorsed by the Security Council.
European powers fear an inexperienced US negotiating team may fail to secure a robust nuclear agreement or address Iran’s ballistic missile programme in the next phase, risking a prolonged standoff.
