Luxembourg (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said that France, the UK and Germany will be vigilant regarding nuclear talks between the United States and Iran to ensure they conform to European interests.
“We will be vigilant, along with our British and German friends and partners, to ensure that any (U.S.-Iran) negotiations that may take place comply with our security interests with regard to Iran’s nuclear programme,”
Barrot told reporters as he arrived at the EU foreign ministers’ meeting in Luxembourg.
Trump unexpectedly revealed that discussions between Washington and Tehran would start in Oman, a Gulf nation known for its past mediation between the West and the Islamic Republic. Oman has successfully facilitated the release of various foreign citizens and dual nationals detained by Iran.
Western nations claim that Iran’s uranium enrichment, intended for civilian energy, exceeds necessary levels and has reached a fissile purity close to what is needed for nuclear warheads.
Are Iran and the U.S. moving toward a nuclear deal?
A day earlier, Iran and the U.S. reported engaging in “positive” and “constructive” discussions in Oman on Saturday. They have decided to meet again next week to continue talks aimed at tackling Tehran’s intensifying nuclear program, with President Donald Trump warning of military action if an agreement is not reached.
“I think we are very close to a basis for negotiations and if we can conclude this basis next week, we’ll have gone a long way and will be able to start real discussions based on that,”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said. During the first talks between Iran and the Trump administration, including his first term in 2017-2021, Araqchi characterized the atmosphere as “productive, calm, and positive”.
“Both sides have agreed to continue the talks … probably next Saturday,”
Araqchi also said.
“Iran and the U.S. side want an agreement in the short term. We do not want talks for (the sake of) talks.”
The White House initiated discussions featuring Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steven Witkoff, U.S. Ambassador to Oman, Ana Escrogima, and Araqchi. “very positive and constructive.”
“These issues are very complicated, and Special Envoy Witkoff’s direct communication today was a step forward in achieving a mutually beneficial outcome,”
It said in a statement.
“The sides agreed to meet again next Saturday.”
Why is France warning about war with Iran?
Moreover, a few days ago, France’s foreign minister cautioned that unsuccessful nuclear negotiations with Iran might result in an unavoidable military clash, as diplomatic tensions escalate between Tehran and Western capitals.
“We must be extremely vigilant. If the negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program do not succeed, a military confrontation would appear almost inevitable,”
Jean-Noel Barrot spoke on Public Senat television.
“Iran’s nuclear escalation poses a direct threat to national security. Our position is clear: Iran must never obtain nuclear weapons. We need a verifiable and lasting agreement to constrain its nuclear program,”
He stated.
