ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — After meeting with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in Tehran, France's Foreign Minister Jean-Yves le Drian touched on the "consequences" of the Islamic Republic's regional meddling. Iran's foreign minister pointed out that the West military supported Saddam Hussein during the Iran-Iraq war.
He also noted that conflicts in the Middle East need to be resolved in line with "the sovereignty of states."
"Iran’s regional action also has destabilizing consequences for the region. We want Iran to make a positive contribution to crisis resolution," stated Drian.
Paris sent its first ministerial-level envoy to Tehran in a year, meeting with Rouhani, FM Javad Zarif, Parliament Spiker Ali Larijani, and Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani.
The Iranian president also issued a statement after the meeting — omitting Iraq.
Rouhani described "the security of the Persian Gulf as an issue of importance."
"The Islamic Republic of Iran's presence in Syria has been at the Syrian government's request to fight terrorism, while terrorism in the region has not been completely eradicated and it is still a threat to other countries as well," he said.
Zarif used the opportunity to point to the arms sent to the Middle East in recent conflicts.
"The US and Europeans should stop pouring hundreds of billions of dollars of weapons into our region instead of questioning Iran's missiles. Not restricted by UNSC, but necessary to deter repeat of our people’s suffering when Saddam—with Western support—showered us with missiles," he tweeted.
Iran nuclear deal
The meetings also focused on Europe and Iran's commitment to the nuclear deal.
"Iran will never be the first party to violate the JCPOA and considers the agreement as effective in enhancing trust, peace, cooperation and regional and international stability," stated Rouhani.
Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons. It claims its nuclear technology is for energy and its missiles are only for defensive purposes.
France did address the JCPOA in separate terms of nuclear and ballistic programs.
Drian re-iterated its "great concern to France and its partners" over the ballistic program, but with regards to the nuclear side of the agreement: "France is determined to maintain this solid agreement and wants all parties to fulfill their commitments."
He added that "Iran must continue to strictly implement its obligations; at the same time, it is important for both France and Iran that the resumption of European trade and investment in Iran continue."
The nuclear deal was reached between Iran and the permanent members of the UN Security Council and the European Union (China, France, Russia, the UK and the US) plus Germany (P5+1) under former US President Barack Obama's administration in July 2015 and came into effect in January 2016.
Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday in Washington.
"The United States of America will never allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon."
"[T]he Syrian crisis and the ongoing humanitarian situation in Syria will be addressed in particular, alongside other regional issues in which Iran is involved (Yemen, Lebanon, Iraq)," said Drian in a ministry statement.
He also noted that conflicts in the Middle East need to be resolved in line with "the sovereignty of states."
"Iran’s regional action also has destabilizing consequences for the region. We want Iran to make a positive contribution to crisis resolution," stated Drian.
Paris sent its first ministerial-level envoy to Tehran in a year, meeting with Rouhani, FM Javad Zarif, Parliament Spiker Ali Larijani, and Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani.
The Iranian president also issued a statement after the meeting — omitting Iraq.
Rouhani described "the security of the Persian Gulf as an issue of importance."
"The Islamic Republic of Iran's presence in Syria has been at the Syrian government's request to fight terrorism, while terrorism in the region has not been completely eradicated and it is still a threat to other countries as well," he said.
Zarif used the opportunity to point to the arms sent to the Middle East in recent conflicts.
"The US and Europeans should stop pouring hundreds of billions of dollars of weapons into our region instead of questioning Iran's missiles. Not restricted by UNSC, but necessary to deter repeat of our people’s suffering when Saddam—with Western support—showered us with missiles," he tweeted.
In meeting today, told France FM: EU should compel US to abide by JCPOA rather than trying to appease it by repeating its extraneous demands. To defend the nuclear agreement, mere words are not sufficient. Especially since the US is an obstacle to EU's own adherence to JCPOA. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/rIgEfJ4qyN
— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) March 5, 2018
Iran nuclear deal
The meetings also focused on Europe and Iran's commitment to the nuclear deal.
"Iran will never be the first party to violate the JCPOA and considers the agreement as effective in enhancing trust, peace, cooperation and regional and international stability," stated Rouhani.
Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons. It claims its nuclear technology is for energy and its missiles are only for defensive purposes.
France did address the JCPOA in separate terms of nuclear and ballistic programs.
Drian re-iterated its "great concern to France and its partners" over the ballistic program, but with regards to the nuclear side of the agreement: "France is determined to maintain this solid agreement and wants all parties to fulfill their commitments."
He added that "Iran must continue to strictly implement its obligations; at the same time, it is important for both France and Iran that the resumption of European trade and investment in Iran continue."
The nuclear deal was reached between Iran and the permanent members of the UN Security Council and the European Union (China, France, Russia, the UK and the US) plus Germany (P5+1) under former US President Barack Obama's administration in July 2015 and came into effect in January 2016.
US President Donald Trump has described the agreement as "the worst deal ever," but begrudgingly has been reaffirming Washington's commitment to the deal since taking office in January 2017.
Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday in Washington.
Speaking at an American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) event on Monday night in Washington, US Vice President Mike Pence said, “Unless the Iran nuclear deal is fixed in the coming months, the United States of America will withdraw from the Iran deal immediately.
"The United States of America will never allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon."
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