French UN envoy urges ‘firm’ dialogue with Iran

France’s UN ambassador says a long-term strategy in the Middle East cannot rest on “exerting pressures and sanctions” on Iran but must include “a firm and frank dialogue” with the Iranians on issues of growing concern, including their ballistic missile launches and destabilizing activities.

Francois Delattre tells the UN Security Council that dialogue is the only way the international community can lay the foundations for a new agreement with Iran on nuclear and missile activity as well as regional stability.

He stressed that “there is no other way to make sure there was lasting stability in the region or to attain the goal of Iran never obtaining nuclear weapons.”

Delattre’s comments appear aimed at the Trump administration, which pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran and has recently re-imposed sanctions it had lifted following the agreement.

The French ambassador also echoes the appeal launched by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to all countries to ensure the continuity of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal “as a pillar of international peace and security.”

— AP