France Finds Iran’s Missile Program “Very Concerning”

France’s Foreign Minister, while reiterating support for full implementation of the JCPOA, described Iran’s ballistic missile program as “very concerning.” According to Le Drian, measures are necessary to ensure this program does not pose a threat to Iran’s neighboring countries.

Jean-Yves Le Drian, France’s Foreign Minister, said on Tuesday (February 27 / March 8) that Iran’s ambitions regarding ballistic missiles are “very concerning” and violate UN Security Council resolutions.

Le Drian said at a press conference with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov: “It is necessary to take measures to prevent Iran’s ballistic missile program from becoming a danger to neighboring countries.”

According to Reuters, France’s Foreign Minister simultaneously expressed support for full implementation of the nuclear agreement with Iran, known as the JCPOA.

Lavrov: Discussions on JCPOA Must Include Iran’s Participation

Sergey Lavrov said at the press conference that Russia, like France, believes in full implementation of the JCPOA. According to Russian news agency TASS, Russia’s Foreign Minister emphasized that from Moscow’s perspective, any discussion about Iran’s nuclear program must take place only with Tehran’s participation.

Lavrov added: “If there is a willingness to address other issues related to Iran, whether within the framework of the JCPOA or otherwise, this must be done with Iran’s participation and on the basis of agreement, not through ultimatums.”

France’s Foreign Minister also said that during his upcoming trip to Tehran, he will primarily discuss implementation of the nuclear agreement with Iranian officials.

Contentious Topics in Paris-Tehran Dialogue

Jean-Yves Le Drian is scheduled to travel to Iran next Monday (March 5 / March 5). The topics of discussion between France’s Foreign Minister and Islamic Republic officials are said to include Iran’s ballistic missile program, the nuclear agreement of June 2015 known as the JCPOA, and Iran’s role in the region. Iranian officials, however, have consistently rejected negotiations over their “defensive” and missile programs.

Hassan Rouhani, Iran’s President, stated on February 4, emphasizing that “our officials do not need and will not need negotiations and agreements with any power for their defensive capabilities,” saying: “We will speak and discuss, and if an official comes, we will respond to them.” However, he stressed: “We will also give a decisive and firm response.”

Donald Trump, the U.S. President, is pressuring his European allies, including France, to negotiate with Iran to address the “flaws” in the JCPOA. However, Iran has so far rejected any negotiations to amend the nuclear agreement.

Rex Tillerson, U.S. Secretary of State, announced on January 27 that working groups had begun reviewing the concerns the U.S. has about the JCPOA. He said the United States had secured support from Britain, France, and Germany, the European members of the P5+1, to examine the changes the U.S. wants in the nuclear agreement with Iran. The U.S. Secretary of State also said: “The working groups have begun their work to reach agreement on principles, the issues that need to be raised, and how to bring Iran to account for these problems.”

However, Bahram Qassemi, spokesman for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, said on February 5 that he has “no information” about the working group for amending the JCPOA, and that Europeans have not told Iran anything about it.