Paris. January 17. INTERFAX-In order to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, it is extremely important that Tehran and Washington return to the 2015 nuclear agreement, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said.
"The Trump administration has chosen what it called a maximum pressure campaign on Iran. As a result, this strategy has only increased the risk and threat," Le Drian said in an interview with the Journal du Dimanche newspaper.
The diplomat stressed: "This must stop, because Iran, and I say this clearly, is in the process of acquiring a nuclear (weapons - IF) capability."
At the same time, Le Drian said that even if both sides return to the deal, it will not be enough.
"Tough discussions will be required on the proliferation of ballistic missiles and Iran's destabilization of its neighbors in the region," he added.
The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on the Iranian nuclear program was adopted in July 2015 by the "six" international mediators (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany) and Iran. In 2018, US President Donald Trump announced his withdrawal from the Iran deal. A year later, Iran began phasing out its commitments.
The European Union has reaffirmed its strong commitment and unwavering support for the JCPOA, European Diplomacy Chief Josep Borrel said in a statement on behalf of the EU.
"The JCPOA is a key element of the global nuclear non-proliferation architecture and an achievement of multilateral diplomacy, unanimously approved by the UN Security Council in resolution 2231," the document said earlier.
The statement also expressed support for " intensive diplomacy to facilitate the return of the United States to the JCPOA and the return of Iran to full implementation of the plan."
"We welcome President - elect Biden's positive statements on the JCPOA and look forward to working with the new US administration," Brussels said.
The return of the United States to the Iranian nuclear deal is not enough, Washington should lift all imposed sanctions against Iran, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said earlier.
"The US presence in the nuclear deal is only useful if it brings economic benefits to Iran," Zarif said, as quoted by Iranian media.