France Warns: Iran Sanctions Cannot Be Lifted Without European Consent
PARIS — France’s Foreign Ministry issued a firm warning Monday, stating that sanctions on Iran cannot be lifted without the approval of European nations, and that Paris will obstruct any agreement that conflicts with its security interests.French Foreign Ministry sources said the recently signed memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran represents only…
PARIS — France’s Foreign Ministry issued a firm warning Monday, stating that sanctions on Iran cannot be lifted without the approval of European nations, and that Paris will obstruct any agreement that conflicts with its security interests.
French Foreign Ministry sources said the recently signed memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran represents only a first step, cautioning that the most difficult stages lie ahead. France is demanding robust international guarantees on monitoring Iran’s nuclear programme before any sanctions relief is considered.
France also expressed concern that the Lebanese issue could derail the broader US-Iran agreement. Paris indicated it is in consultations with its partners over the possibility of deploying a multinational force in Lebanon as an alternative to UNIFIL.
It is worth noting that the authority to lift sanctions on Iran does not rest with Washington alone — China, France, the United Kingdom, and Russia are all parties to the process. France has also signalled its readiness to participate in ongoing technical negotiations in Switzerland alongside the United States.
The development comes as Washington, eager to avoid renewed conflict, agreed to a ceasefire arrangement with Tehran in which lifting sanctions and unfreezing Iranian assets were among the central demands.
