France Calls for Negotiation on Iran's Missile Program and Regional Role

Jean-Yves Le Drian, the French Foreign Minister, stated on Thursday, September 29, that Iran cannot avoid negotiations regarding concerns such as the future of the nuclear agreement, its ballistic missile program, and its role in stabilizing the Middle East. According to AFP, Jean-Yves Le Drian made these remarks on the sidelines of the EU Foreign Ministers' meeting in Vienna, saying, "Iran must adhere to the fundamental principles of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and I believe it has done so so far." The nuclear agreement between Iran and the US, Russia, China, France, the UK, and Germany was signed in 2015 to end the dispute over Iran's nuclear program. However, the US withdrew from the agreement on May 8, announcing that it would reinstate sanctions against Iran. The first phase of US sanctions was implemented on July 31, and the second phase is set to be enforced on November 3. Meanwhile, the three European countries, France, the UK, and Germany, are trying to preserve the nuclear agreement with Iran. The French Foreign Minister further stated, "However, Iran cannot avoid negotiating over three important issues that concern us." Jean-Yves Le Drian identified these three issues as Iran's nuclear commitments after 2025, Iran's missile program and the proliferation of these missiles, and the Islamic Republic's role in creating stability in the Middle East. The French Foreign Minister emphasized, "We must discuss these three issues, and Iran should be aware of this position, and this is the message I am sending to them from Vienna." Donald Trump, the US President, who has consistently criticized the nuclear agreement known as the JCPOA since his 2016 election campaign, has repeatedly emphasized that Iran has not adhered to the spirit of the JCPOA due to its 'destabilizing' actions in the Middle East, including missile activities and support for regional militia groups. Mike Pompeo, the US Secretary of State, had previously stated, "We ask our allies and partners to join the economic pressure campaign against the Iranian regime. We must cut off all financial resources that the regime uses to finance terrorism and proxy wars." Iran has rejected negotiations regarding its ballistic missile program and the JCPOA. Meanwhile, Iranian officials have stated that Tehran will not negotiate at all regarding the JCPOA and its missile program. The spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry also stated, "The Islamic Republic of Iran will not allow any country to interfere in its internal affairs and defense policies, especially its missile program." In this context, the European Union had previously announced that the dispute over Iran's missile program, although unrelated to the nuclear agreement, must be resolved.