France: Iran must comply with nuclear deal pre-US return; Russia says opposite

The Iranian government must comply with the terms of the 2015 accord limiting its nuclear program in order to see the United States return to the deal, a French presidency official says.

“If they are serious about negotiations and want to obtain a new commitment from all participants in the JCPOA, first they must refrain from further provocations and second they must respect what they are no longer respecting” in terms of commitments, the official says on condition of anonymity.

Meanwhile Russia gives an opposite assessment, saying the US must lift sanctions against Tehran and comply with the Iran nuclear deal as a condition for the Islamic Republic to rejoin the accord.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says after talks with his Iranian counterpart that he hopes “the United States returns to full compliance with the corresponding Security Council resolution, creating conditions for Iran to meet its obligations under the nuclear deal.”