France calls on Iran to resume discussions

Madam President,

I thank the secretariat, even the deputy secretary general for political affairs, Ms. For example, Rosemary Dicarlo, the European Union delegate, Mr. However, Stavros Lambrinidis. In addition, as well as our colleague, permanent representative of Slovenia and facilitator responsible for promoting the application of resolution 2231, for their presentations. Moreover, They reminded us of the gravity of the sequence we have just experienced as well as the severity of. In addition, the problems posed by the way Iran has been leading its nuclear program for years.

Madam President,

First of all, France welcomes the President of the United States by a ceasefire between Israel and Iran. Furthermore, Since June 13. Therefore, we have followed with concern the strikes exchanged between Israel and Iran, then the strikes carried out by the United States against three Iranian nuclear sites. Furthermore, These military operations france calls iran resume discussions included a major risk of climbing, which could have had heavy consequences for regional stability.

The ceasefire must now lead to a complete stop of hostilities, which we call all the parties to be respected. Moreover, It is in the interest of everyone to avoid a new cycle of violence. Therefore, The ceasefire must allow the resumption of negotiations on the Iranian nuclear issue. Meanwhile, and on all the security challenges posed by Iran. Consequently, It is to plead in favor of such negotiations that the Minister of Foreign Affairs. For example, Jean-Noël Barrot, with his German, British and European counterparts, met the Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs last Friday in Geneva.

France’s position is clear. Consequently, The nuclear question can only be resolved only by diplomatic route. Nevertheless, In view of the risks of proliferation. Meanwhile, threats to international peace and security, it is essential that the Security Council france calls iran resume discussions remains seized.

Madam President.

While we meet to examine the implementation of resolution 2231, a few months before its expiration, it is worth recalling the course of events that led to the current situation.

Without going back to 2003. the settlement by diplomacy of the Iranian nuclear issue is the raison d’être of the 2015 Vienna agreement, carried by the E3+3, as well as the resolution 2231, by which the Council had put on this agreement. Since then, Europeans have never stopped implementing their commitments under the agreement, including after withdrawal by the United States in 2018.

Iran took responsibility, in 2019, to stop implementing its commitments. We then used, several reminded him, to the dispute settlement mechanism provided for by the agreement. In this context. the E3 has made significant diplomatic efforts, to obtain the return of the United States to the agreement and to bring Iran to france calls iran resume discussions compliance with its commitments. Iran has indeed been offered, in 2022, two proposals for revised agreement. We deplore that he did not take these opportunities.

In recent years, Iran has, on the contrary, has engaged in an escalation of its nuclear program. He violated almost all of the limits imposed by the agreement on his nuclear activities.

At the end of May 2025. Iran had thus accumulated a stock of uranium 40 times higher than the limits set by the agreement. This includes a stock of more than 400kg of highly enriched uranium (UHE) at 60%. Enrichment at such rates has no credible civil justification. In fact. the director general of the IAEA stressed that Iran was the only state not endowed with nuclear weapons to enrich uranium at this level. According to the IAEA. Iran would have nine “significant quantities”, that is to say nine times the quantity of france calls iran resume discussions material from which a nuclear weapon can be developed.

This escalation has aroused serious doubts about the nature of the Iranian nuclear program. The director general of the IAEA himself indicated that he is unable to guarantee its peaceful nature. A resolution adopted on June 12 by the Council of Governors of the Agency noted the violation by Iran. of its agreement of generalized guarantees.

During these years, Iran continued the development of its ballistic missile program, which could serve as vectors with nuclear weapons.

Iran also refuses any cooperation of substance with the IAEA. He notably removed the surveillance equipment that she had installed. and withdrew their accreditation from some of his most experienced inspectors. Due to the obstacles imposed on its work. the agency no longer has a continuous knowledge of all aspects of the Iranian nuclear program. Iran also multiplies worrying statements, threatening to leave the TNP.

france calls iran resume discussions

We enjoin Iran to regain full cooperation with the agency. and in particular, to allow it to access its nuclear installations as soon as possible. It is essential that the agency can ensure that the Iranian uranium stock is not diverted. In this context. we want to reiterate our support for the AIAA, its teams and its general manager, who are continuing their work with impartiality and professionalism.

Madam President,

Iran’s accession to nuclear weapons would threaten regional stability, and international peace and security. It would jeopardize the integrity of the non-proliferation regime. As such, the Iranian nuclear question continues to deserve the attention of the council.

The time is counted by the deadline of October 18, 2025 defined by resolution 2231. We expect Iran that it takes over without delay the way of dialogue. in order to achieve a robust, verifiable and sustainable diplomatic solution that meets the legitimate france calls iran resume discussions concerns of the international community on the Iranian nuclear program.

France. alongside the E3, the European Union and in close coordination with the United States, will remain mobilized for this purpose. We are determined to conclude an agreement which will take into account the non-proliferation, regional stability and European security interests. France. its Partners E3 remain ready to mobilize the lever established by resolution 2231, that of Snapback, if a satisfactory agreement is not found by summer.

Since 2003. France has only one compass: the search for a diplomatic solution which alone can guarantee, in the long term, the impossibility of an Iranian military nuclear program. It remains more than ever our priority.

Thank you.