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PRESIDENT OBAMA: President Hollande and I agree on the need to continue enforcing existing sanctions, even as we believe that new sanctions during these negotiations would endanger the possibility of a diplomatic solution.  And we remain absolutely united on our ultimate goal, which is preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

PRESIDENT HOLLANDE:  (As interpreted.)

On the Iranian dossier, we found common ground.  It’s a challenging issue and finding a final agreement will be challenging.  But the Iranian nuclear program has been suspended, and this is precisely the outcome of our collaboration -- collaboration between France and the United States of America.

PRESIDENT OBAMA:  We’ve got a couple of questions each.  Let’s start with -- where’s Mark Landler?  There he is.  New York Times.

Q     For Monsieur le Presidente, (speaks in French), I forget my French, I’m going to ask in English.  How is it okay for a trade delegation with 100 French CEOs to travel to Tehran to explore business opportunities when the P5 and the E3-plus-3 have committed to maintaining the strength and integrity of the sanctions regime?  Thank you.

PRESIDENT OBAMA:

Let me just make one last comment with respect to the Iran sanctions.  We have been extraordinarily firm that even during this interim agreement, we will fully enforce all applicable sanctions.  In fact, we have taken various steps just over the last six, seven weeks to identify companies that we felt were violating those sanctions and have been very clear to the Iranians that there’s not going to be any let-up. 

In discussions with President Hollande, he feels the same way, as do all the P5-plus-1 members.  And so businesses may be exploring are there some possibilities to get in sooner rather than later if and when there is an actual agreement to be had, but I can tell you that they do so at their own peril right now because we will come down on them like a ton of bricks with respect to the sanctions that we control, and we expect full compliance with respect to the P5-plus-1 during this interim.  We don’t want new sanctions because the ones we have in place are already squeezing Iran and brought them to the table, but we also want to send a message to the Iranians that if they don’t resolve this broader issue of their nuclear program that there will be consequences and that the sanctions regime not only will stay in place but will likely be tightened in the event that these talks fail.

PRESIDENT HOLLANDE:

You asked me a question about French businessmen in Iran, that trip to Iran.  For those of you who are unfamiliar with the French situation, the President of the Republic is not the President of the Employers Union in France -- and he certainly doesn’t wish to be.  And I don’t think anyone wishes for him to be so.  So companies just make those decisions when it comes to traveling.  But I certainly let them know that sanctions were in force and would remain in force.  And if contacts were to be made with a view to a new situation in Iran, a situation where Iran would have renounced the nuclear weapon fully and comprehensively -- well, unless such a new situation would prevail, no commercial agreement could be signed.  That’s what I told French businessmen and they are very much aware of the situation. 

And as far as sanctions are concerned, they will only be lifted if and when there is a definite agreement.  And during this period of an interim agreement, they remain in force.   

A French question, perhaps now?  Le Figaro.

Q     (As interpreted.)  Mr. President, you praised the Excellency of the Franco-American cooperation.  But on Iran, are there differences in terms of analysis between France and America on the necessity to have an ambitious agreement?  Do you fear that Americans will be prepared to make too many concessions?  Thank you.

PRESIDENT OBAMA:

The reason Iran is at the table is because we have a very high threshold in terms of what we expect out of Iran to prove to us that they're not pursuing nuclear weapons.  And we were able to stitch together an international coalition to apply sanctions to make sure that would be the case.

I don't think the concern during the course of these negotiations is whether or not we are going to be making too many concessions.  I think the concern is going to be whether or not Iran can recognize the opportunity to prove in a verifiable fashion to the world, in ways that scientists and technical experts can confirm, that any nuclear program they have is for peaceful purposes. 

And the facts are what will guide these negotiations.  If they meet what technically gives us those assurances then there’s a deal to be potentially made; if they don’t, there isn’t.  And it’s not subject to a whole lot of interpretation.  There are some judgment issues involved, but part of the reason we’re where we are right now is because Iran hasn’t been able to give those assurances to anybody in the international community that they weren’t pursuing a nuclear weapon.  That’s why there was such unanimity in applying the sanctions and keeping them in place.  

PRESIDENT HOLLANDE:

With regards to Iran, your second question, just as the United States, we wanted to work on the basis of the P5 scenario.  This was the basis of our action.  Nothing prevented us from having bilateral contacts, and I had some bilateral contacts; in New York, during the UNGA, I received President Rouhani during the General Assembly.  So it is perfectly legitimate for discussions to take place.  However, we had to meet together in order to be strong together and in order to make sure that our toughness brings about this interim agreement -- which it did. 

But there is still work to be done.  Just because we signed an interim agreement for a few months doesn’t mean that there is no longer an Iranian problem.  There is an Iranian problem, for we need to make sure that Iran renounces the nuclear weapon in a definite and comprehensive manner.