France to Continue Efforts to Defuse JCPOA Tensions

EghtesadOnline: French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday that Paris will continue efforts to ease the tensions arising from the 2015 nuclear agreement and ensure the implementation of the landmark deal, formally called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

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14 September 2019

In a phone conversation, he briefed his Iranian counterpart, Hassan Rouhani, about France's intensive negotiations with American officials on the details of a proposal to address Iran's economic concerns, Rouhani’s website reported.

The United States exited the deal last year and reimposed sweeping sanctions on Tehran, which have negatively affected the country's international trade.

In response, Iran has started to gradually reduce its compliance in phases, although declaring that the steps can be reversed, according to Financial Tribune.

The situation has escalated in the Persian Gulf following several oil tanker attacks in May and June, and Washington is now lobbying allies and partners to launch a maritime security mission in the strategic waters.

France has been leading efforts to defuse the tensions by mediating between the two foes.

Macron has held a series of phone talks with Rouhani in recent weeks as well as with his American counterpart, Donald Trump.

Paris has proposed to compensate for the economic losses caused by US sanctions on Iran through a $15 billion credit line and has been in talks with US officials to secure their consent to implement the proposal.

Return to Full Compliance

Rouhani said Iran is ready to return to full compliance with JCPOA, if agreements with Europe on the compensation system are finalized.

"Iran's third step is being taken under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency and is also reversible," he stressed, referring to the latest phase of the scale-back plan, which was initiated last week and included the installation of advanced uranium enrichment machines.

He said JCPOA was a great opportunity for the world to collaborate and invest in Iran's growing economy, calling for the European Union, particularly France, to play its part in preserving the deal.

Rouhani dismissed the possibility of talks with the US, saying negotiations can only take place between Iran and the 5+1 (parties to the deal, including the US) once the sanctions are lifted.

He added that the consolidation of JCPOA and security in the world's waterways, including the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, are two major objectives to be pursued as they benefit the world, including the EU and even the US.

The two presidents agreed to maintain their dialogue to find a solution to the current standoff.