[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] French President Emmanuel Macron reportedly discussed the restoration of the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA - Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) in a phone call with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. President Macron emphasized the need for Iran to take immediate steps to comply with the nuclear agreement and stressed that France will continue to play the role of mediator.
According to foreign media including the Associated Press, on the 2nd (local time), the ?lys?e Palace, the French presidential office, announced that President Macron spoke with President Rouhani and emphasized during the call that "it is important to show a clear and immediate move to return to the Iran nuclear deal." This was interpreted as a reiteration that Iran must comply with the nuclear deal to establish a negotiation table with the United States.
As the United States and Iran continue their standoff over the nuclear deal, mediation efforts led by France and European countries are becoming more active. President Macron has consistently emphasized France’s role as an "honest mediator" and pledged to continue this mediation role.
Previously, Iran signed the nuclear deal in 2015 with six countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia, and China, diluting uranium enrichment levels from up to 20% to below 3.67% and allowing IAEA inspections. However, former U.S. President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the deal in May 2018 and reinstated most sanctions against Iran, prompting Iran to gradually withdraw from the nuclear deal starting in May 2019 and pressure the deal’s signatories.
Last month, the Iranian government significantly reduced the scope of IAEA inspections, and Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei reaffirmed the principle of not possessing nuclear weapons while also stating that uranium enrichment levels could be increased up to 60%.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
