According to the English section of webangah News Agency, citing Mehr News Agency and CBS, Jean-Noël Barrot, the French Foreign Minister, threatened once more to activate the snapback mechanism against the Islamic Republic of Iran, just days after the first meeting between the european Troika and Tehran following Israeli and US aggression against Iran.
In an interview with “face The Nation,” responding to a question about the possibility of secret Iranian nuclear activities after a 12-day conflict with Israel and advancing toward nuclear weapons without global detection, Barrot said: “We still face this risk. Together with Germany and Britain, we have made it perfectly clear that Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons.”
Without mentioning AmericaS unilateral and illegal withdrawal from the JCPOA, he claimed: “In recent weeks, in close coordination with American officials, we have reached out to Iranian authorities to convey our expectations.Ten years ago, we reached an agreement on iran’s nuclear program that significantly limited its capabilities. But circumstances have changed since then; Iran has violated all commitments it accepted when signing that deal.”
barrot also asserted about troika’s scope and demands in recent negotiations with Tehran: “We are currently seeking a broader agreement-one that does not only cover nuclear issues but also addresses Iran’s missile program and its destabilizing regional activities.”
The French diplomat reiterated his threat to trigger the snapback mechanism. He warned: “If by late summer no serious, verifiable, and enduring agreement is reached, France, Germany, and Britain will have no choice but to restore international sanctions lifted ten years ago after signing the nuclear deal-sanctions targeting Iran’s arms sector along with its nuclear-related equipment and banking system.”
When asked whether France is ready to restore sanctions on Iran starting in August or if it urges direct talks between Tehran and Washington to prevent such a scenario, he replied: “We hold weekly discussions on this matter with steve Whitaker [likely referring to Steve Witkoff or another official], Special Envoy for america’s Middle East affairs (note: original name possibly mismatched), as well as Marco Rubio [erroneously stated as US Secretary of State instead of senator]; this issue is very vital for both America and Europe.”
He concluded by addressing efforts aimed at pressuring Iran back into negotiations following US incursions into Iranian territory: “We support America’s attempts at engaging in talks with Iran. After last 12-day war-even more pressure has been applied on tehran-to return them back at negotiation table with Washington. We continue exerting pressure because if no firm deal materializes by end of August -we’ll be forced again-to reimpose sanctions-and we are prepared for that.”
Earlier Abbas Araqchi , Deputy Foreign Minister of Islamic Republic of Iran before Istanbul talks stressed:”After recent war it was necessary they knew positions remained steadfast & strong.We will continue enrichment; no way will we relinquish this right from Iranian people.Tomorrow’s conversations will be continuation & world must understand our stances are clear & unchanged.We defend rights related especially enriching nuclear fuel.”
