France: Sanctions on Iran will not be lifted as long as it does not abandon its nuclear program

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot affirmed on Monday that European sanctions on Iran would not be lifted before Tehran abandons its nuclear program, its ballistic missiles, and its actions that “destabilize” the region.

In an interview with BFMTV and RMC radio, Barrot stated, “Sanctions on the Iranian regime will not be lifted until it abandons its nuclear program, its revolutionary project that destabilizes the region, and its ballistic missile program, parts of which could one day be capable of targeting Europe,” and “until Iranians are granted the freedom to build their future.”

When asked about renewed tensions between Iran and the United States, the French minister refrained from confirming a return to war.

He said, “The truth is that an agreement has been reached allowing for very simple measures: a ceasefire, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and the start of negotiations to strictly regulate Iran’s nuclear program.”

Barrot reiterated his call for all parties to return to “the negotiation protocol established by this agreement, as they do not wish to escalate.”

The United States bombed Iran again, and Tehran responded on Monday by targeting countries in the region allied with Washington, marking unprecedented strikes from both sides since the ceasefire on April 8.