Barro: No Lifting of UN Sanctions on Iran Without France's Approval

SadaNews - French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said on Friday that France wants to play a role in negotiations regarding the Iranian nuclear program, emphasizing that Paris will not agree to lift the UN sanctions imposed on Tehran unless it is satisfied with the terms of the final agreement.

Barrot added in statements to the "France Info" station that the region will not witness stability unless the US talks with Iran lead to addressing the issues related to Tehran's ballistic missile program and its support for allied groups.

Barrot stated: "The significant concessions that will be required from Iran will yield the lifting of sanctions, the sanctions that were imposed on it at the UN."

Reuters quoted Barrot in the interview as saying, "France is a permanent member of the Security Council, and therefore, as has been the case ten years ago, its approval will be required to lift the sanctions."

The agreement reached between the United States and Iran this week calls for negotiations on the Iranian nuclear program over the next sixty days, with the Security Council ratifying the final agreement.

European powers fear that the inexperienced US negotiating team may fail to reach a strong nuclear agreement or deal with Iran's ballistic missile program in the next phase, which could herald a long-term confrontation.

France, the UK, and Germany are seeking to play a role in shaping the upcoming talks after being sidelined in recent months. The three countries began dialogue with Iran regarding its nuclear program in 2003, and later cooperated with then-US President Barack Obama to reach a 2015 agreement to curb the Iranian nuclear program in exchange for easing sanctions.

US President Donald Trump strongly criticized that agreement, withdrawing the United States from it during his first presidential term.

Barrot stated: "Our goal is to extract significant concessions from the Iranian regime and a radical change in its position. We will have our say because our membership in the UN Security Council will necessarily link this agreement to resolving this crisis."