Behind-the-Scenes Disputes Between France and the U.S. Over Negotiations with Iran

On Saturday, the French news agency reported, citing 'Western diplomats', that contrary to appearances, there is a war and disagreement behind the scenes between Paris and Washington regarding negotiations with the Islamic Republic. France is concerned that if the Arak heavy water reactor is finally launched, the Islamic Republic could produce enough plutonium to build an atomic bomb. The report, published on Saturday, December 13, examines the points of contention between France and the U.S. regarding Iran's nuclear file and the negotiation process with the Islamic Republic. According to the report, Paris is calling for increased pressure on Tehran to accept more rigorous inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of its nuclear facilities. Another demand from France is a broad halt to Iran's nuclear activities and centrifuges. The report emphasizes that Paris is worried that under pressure from critics regarding Barack Obama's foreign policy, the U.S. government might compromise its public positions to achieve a success and reach an agreement with the Islamic Republic 'at any cost'. France, alongside the U.S., Britain, China, and Russia, is one of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council that has been engaged in intensive talks with Iran regarding the Islamic Republic's nuclear program for years. Global powers are concerned that Iran might use its nuclear program to develop nuclear weapons, a claim that the Islamic Republic has consistently denied. The negotiations between Iran and the 1+5 group have so far resulted in two temporary agreements but have not reached a final outcome. These negotiations have been extended until July 1, 2015. François Hollande, the President of France, set four conditions for a nuclear agreement with Iran after his first meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, November 17, 2013. He stated that it is under the condition of meeting these four criteria that France would support reaching a nuclear agreement with the Islamic Republic: 'Halting 20% uranium enrichment, international control over all of Iran's nuclear facilities, reducing enriched uranium stockpiles, and stopping operations at the Arak heavy water facility.' According to the IAEA, Iran has halted 20% uranium enrichment and either diluted or converted its enriched uranium stockpiles into fuel rods in accordance with the Geneva agreement.