WANA (Jul 28) – Jean-Noël Barrot, France’s Foreign Minister, has called for direct talks between the U.S. and Iran, stating that Europe is seeking a comprehensive agreement with Tehran.

 

Barrot said in an interview with CBS on Sunday night: “We have made it very clear that Iran must not possess nuclear weapons. In recent months, we have been in close coordination with American officials, communicating with Iranian authorities to clarify our expectations.”

 

Without acknowledging Europe’s failure to uphold its commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA), Barrot claimed: “Ten years ago, we reached a nuclear agreement with Iran that significantly rolled back its nuclear capabilities. But things have changed. Since then, Iran has violated commitments it had accepted under the deal.”

 

He added: “Now we are looking for a more comprehensive agreement,” one that addresses not only Iran’s nuclear activities but also its ballistic missile program and regional conduct.

 

Barrot stressed the need for “a new, strong, durable, and verifiable agreement with Iran” and referred to ongoing efforts to bring Iran back to negotiations with the United States.

 

He warned: “If a solid agreement is not reached by the end of August, we are prepared for the snapback option.”

Journalists Gather Outside Iranian Consulate in Turkey / WANA News Agency

Journalists Gather Outside Iranian Consulate in Turkey / WANA News Agency

Meanwhile, on the Iranian side, the spokesperson for the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission stated that the commission is drafting a proposal that would obligate the government to withdraw from the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) if the snapback mechanism is triggered.

 

He added: “The commission also discussed the implications of invoking the snapback mechanism by JCPOA members, especially the European troika. The majority of members proposed submitting a bill to Parliament that would require the government to exit the NPT if the snapback is activated.”

 

Rezaei confirmed: “The proposal is now underway in the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission and is being drafted and developed.”