French President: There is No Alternative to Iran's Nuclear Agreement

On Tuesday, September 7, French President Emmanuel Macron defended the nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers, emphasizing that there is no alternative to this agreement. According to Reuters, Macron, speaking to French ambassadors, described the JCPOA as 'a good agreement' and stated, 'Given the circumstances we are in, the 2015 agreement has allowed us to have a constructive and firm dialogue with Iran.' The French president's defense of the Vienna nuclear agreement comes as the United States has indicated it is reviewing this agreement. Although the Trump administration has confirmed Iran's compliance with the nuclear deal, it also claims that the Islamic Republic's missile tests and actions that lead to 'instability' in the region are contrary to the spirit of the JCPOA. The verbal clash between Iranian and U.S. officials has been escalating in recent days. Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, has insisted that International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors must have access to Iran's military sites, but the Iranian government and military officials have firmly rejected this issue. Iran has also accused the U.S. of 'breaking promises' and 'violating agreements.' However, the French president's remarks on Tuesday were not limited to the JCPOA but also clarified France's diplomacy in the Middle East. Emmanuel Macron stated that he is engaging with major powers in the Middle East, including rival countries Iran and Saudi Arabia, in efforts to eradicate the threat of jihadists. He also referred to the disputes between the Islamic Republic and Arab countries, warning that favoring either side could have devastating consequences for the region. According to a report by AFP, Mr. Macron noted the tensions among Middle Eastern countries, saying, 'Some have taken sides with their allies. This is a mistake. Our diplomatic power lies in talking to all parties.' He then mentioned that France will host a conference early next year aimed at cutting off financial and military resources to terrorist groups like ISIS. Ultimately, Emmanuel Macron emphasized that one of the main goals of his foreign policy is to eradicate 'Islamist terrorism.' France has been the target of heavy attacks by terrorist groups, primarily ISIS, in the past two years. One such attack dates back to two years ago in Paris, where 130 people were killed.