Passing to Paris on Friday, August 23, for a meeting with Emmanuel Macron, the Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohammad Javad Zarif, then answered the questions of France 24.
He welcomed the proposals of the French president, who is increasing contacts with Tehran to try to save the Iran nuclear deal. "Today, we continue to have discussions with Emmanuel Macron," he said. According to the minister, they are moving "in the right direction on how Europe can implement its own commitments related to the nuclear deal."
The Iranian issue is a topic that will be discussed at the G7 summit, which begins this weekend in Biarritz, especially between Emmanuel Macron and Donald Trump. Fragilized by the US withdrawal, the agreement, which had been initialed in 2015, had allowed the lifting of some of the sanctions in exchange for the Iranian commitment not to acquire nuclear weapons.
"We are already at war, an economic war, the international community should oppose the policy of maximum US pressure, it will not work on the Iranians," the Iranian foreign minister told France 24.
"Iranians do not trade under threat"
Tehran threatens to withdraw in turn if Europe fails to save the deal. "Iran has the right to take action, these measures are reversible in a matter of hours, not in a few days, depending on the commitments that the Europeans will make," the Iranian diplomat said.
On August 1, Mohammad Javad Zarif was subjected to US sanctions, as part of the US policy of "maximum pressure". These sanctions come after the Minister of Foreign Affairs refuses to go to Washington. "The Iranians do not negotiate under threat," said Mohammad Javad Zarif, who blames the United States for exacerbating tensions in the Gulf.
"Freedom to sail is a common right, and if the United States stops its acts of destabilization, aggression and interference, Iran and the rest of the Persian Gulf will benefit."