French Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Iran Q&A - Excerpts from the Daily Press Briefing

October 16, 2017

Weapon Program: 

  • Nuclear
  • Missile

Q - The Iranian nuclear agreement was negotiated down to the last comma, and is set to expire in 2025, which Washington wants to change. By indicating that France is ready to take part in discussions on the “post-2025” period, isn’t Paris weakening the other signatories of the agreement, who repeat that the deal cannot be renegotiated? 

A - As Jean-Yves Le Drian noted this morning on the sidelines of the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg, France is committed to the implementation of the Vienna agreement by all parties. This is a robust agreement whose proper implementation will keep the Iranian nuclear program from being used for military purposes for more than 10 years. France in no way hopes to renegotiate or amend any aspect of this agreement.

As Mr. Le Drian clearly stated on October 14, we must not touch this agreement, but it is legitimate to think about the post-2025 period.

Q - Do you want to impose sanctions on the Revolutionary Guards, and is that a subject you intend to bring up in Brussels today?

A - The EU Foreign Affairs Council will review the situation today following President Trump’s announcements on the implementation of the Vienna Agreement. The heads of state and government of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom have reaffirmed their commitment to this agreement, which remains in force.

We do however have concerns about Iran’s ballistic missile program and its policies in the region. But these questions are separate from the JCPOA. We want to raise them with Iran and all of our concerned partners.

As for the Revolutionary Guard, they are already subject to EU sanctions because of their participation in the Iranian ballistic missile program.