France: Iran ‘cannot avoid’ expanded talks on nuclear issue

Iran “cannot avoid” talks on thorny issues like its ballistic missile program and role in Middle East conflicts, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian warns, as European powers work to rescue the beleaguered nuclear deal with Tehran.

The European Union is trying to find ways to maintain oil and banking ties with Iran after the second phase of US sanctions kicks in in November, and Le Drian says it is important to find ways to keep the Islamic republic trading.

But he wars that Tehran must keep up its side of the deal, and be prepared to expand talks. “Iran must respect the fundamentals of the JCPOA (nuclear deal) and I think that is the case,” he says.

“But Iran cannot avoid discussions, negotiations on three other major subjects that worry us — the future of Iran’s nuclear commitments after 2025, the ballistic question and the fact there is a sort of ballistic proliferation on the part of Iran… and the role Iran plays to stabilize the whole region.

— AFP