Emphasis on Full Implementation of the JCPOA; France: Negotiations with European and American Partners Continue

The French Foreign Ministry reiterated its commitment to the nuclear agreement with Iran, emphasizing the need for full implementation of the JCPOA and stating that negotiations with its European and American partners will continue. According to Reuters, in a statement released on Monday, February 19, the French Foreign Ministry expressed concern over Iran's ballistic missile program and Tehran's regional activities. The ministry referred to Iran's support for the Houthis in Yemen but did not mention Iran's role in Syria. Previously, Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, stated on February 14 that Iran's ballistic missile program should be 'under international supervision.' He also emphasized that Paris calls for adherence to the 'JCPOA.' His remarks faced backlash from Tehran, with Bahram Qasemi, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, accusing him of 'prejudice' and a 'biased approach' aimed at 'reducing Iran's defensive capabilities.' Meanwhile, Theresa May, the British Prime Minister, after meeting with Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, on February 17, emphasized the commitment of both countries to uphold the JCPOA, stating that Britain and Germany, like the U.S., are concerned about Iran's 'destabilizing' activities in the Middle East. According to Reuters, May highlighted that they agreed to continue efforts to preserve the JCPOA while being concerned about Iran's destabilizing activities. She added that they are ready to take further appropriate actions to address these issues. On February 18, Reuters reported, based on access to an internal U.S. State Department correspondence and a senior official's remarks, that Washington has designed a roadmap for its key European allies; Britain, France, and Germany. The document from the U.S. State Department addressed European partners, stating, 'We seek your commitment to cooperate towards finding a complementary or follow-up agreement that covers the development and testing of Iran's long-range missiles and ensures rigorous inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency while addressing the shortcomings of the 'sunset clause.' According to the 'sunset clause,' after ten years, Iran can increase its enrichment centrifuges, and after fifteen years, it can increase its stock of low-enriched uranium. The report states that Donald Trump, the U.S. President, remained in the JCPOA while extending sanctions against Iran in May of this year. Iran and the P5+1 reached an agreement in July 2015 in Vienna to resolve the Islamic Republic's nuclear program, known as the 'Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action' or 'JCPOA.' Under the JCPOA, Tehran agreed to halt many of its nuclear activities in exchange for the lifting or suspension of international sanctions against Iran. Donald Trump is a main opponent of this agreement and announced on January 12 that he would extend the suspension of sanctions against Iran under the JCPOA for the last time unless the 'catastrophic flaws' of this agreement are resolved through negotiations within the next four months. His conditions for continued U.S. participation in the JCPOA include inspections of all Iranian sites requested by international inspectors, guarantees against approaching nuclear weapons, the permanence of the JCPOA, and restrictions on Iran's long-range missile program; as Trump stated, long-range missiles and Iran's nuclear weapons program are 'inseparable.' Rex Tillerson, the U.S. Secretary of State, announced on January 27 that joint working groups of the European Union and the U.S. have begun working to address these flaws. Iranian officials have stated that they are not willing to negotiate on this matter and will not accept any changes to the JCPOA. Meanwhile, according to Reuters, the U.S. State Department declined to comment on the report published by this news agency and stated that it would not comment on its internal correspondence. The White House also did not respond to requests for comment on this matter.