Shamkhani Criticizes Europe's 'Concessions to America Regarding the JCPOA' in Meeting with Le Drian

The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council criticized what he called Europe's 'concessions' to the United States regarding the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) during a meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, who visited Tehran. Ali Shamkhani expressed his discontent over the 'free presence and activities' of members of the Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization in Paris. On Monday, March 5, Shamkhani stated that 'the logic of any international agreement is the preservation of all parties and the global community, and the demand for compliance from one side while being indifferent to the violations of the other side is unacceptable.' He called for the acceleration of the full implementation of the European parties' commitments under the JCPOA and warned that 'the failure of the JCPOA will undermine the credibility of international agreements and the logic of dialogue to resolve global issues.' This Iranian official also deemed Europe's policy of 'concessions' to the U.S. to keep it in the JCPOA as 'incorrect,' adding that this policy signifies passivity and submission to Trump's psychological games. He further protested the free activities of the Mujahedin-e Khalq members in France, stating that 'Paris's failure to confront terrorist groups present in this country, which have been involved in the assassination of thousands of innocent people in our country, contradicts France's international responsibility in combating terrorism and will certainly undermine the developing relations between the two countries.' According to ISNA news agency, the French Foreign Minister appreciated what he termed Iran's 'active engagement' with the JCPOA and its full implementation of commitments. Jean-Yves Le Drian stated that 'the French government emphasizes the necessity for the signatory parties of the JCPOA to adhere to their commitments and considers the U.S. positions as a cause of the fragility of this international agreement and opposes them.' He also announced new solutions in the near future to 'create serious openings in monetary and banking relations between Iran and France.' Le Drian has also met with Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's Foreign Minister, and will next meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. The French Foreign Minister's statements come as officials from his country have repeatedly urged Iran to refrain from developing ballistic missiles and actions that threaten regional security and stability. Hours before his trip to Iran, Le Drian emphasized in an interview with the weekly 'Journal du Dimanche' that Tehran's missile program, with a range of several thousand kilometers, is contrary to UN Security Council resolutions and 'if this issue is not resolved, Iran will face the danger of new sanctions.' Concurrently with his visit to Tehran, Masoud Jazayeri, spokesman for the Iranian armed forces, stated that 'the duty of the armed forces is to enhance defensive and missile capabilities and ... no one has the right to negotiate with foreigners about defensive and missile capabilities.' Ahmad Vahidi, head of the Strategic Defense Research Center, also reacted to the possibility of negotiations over Iran's missile activities during the French Foreign Minister's visit, stating that 'the French have not only no right to comment on Iran's missile capabilities but must also be held accountable for their hostile actions against the Iranian nation over the past forty years, including supporting Saddam during the imposed war.' Fars news agency also reported a gathering of a group of students at Mehrabad Airport late last night. According to this report, the gathering was due to France's criticisms of Iran's missile program and Tehran's activities in the region, which France considers destabilizing.