Zarif Holds ‘Constructive’ Talks with Macron

Speaking to reporters in Paris on Friday after talks with Macron at the Élysée Palace, Zarif said the meeting was a follow-up to the negotiations that the Iranian and French presidents have been holding in recent weeks.

“France had put forward a proposal, and we made some proposals as well,” the top Iranian diplomat said, adding that they related to implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and the steps that all parties need to take to carry out the deal completely and start negotiations for gaining a better understanding of the progress.

The negotiations with Macron were “good and constructive”, he said, stressing that making any headways would depend on the European Union’s fulfilment of its commitments under the JCPOA and its undertakings after the US withdrawal from the agreement.

Zarif also noted that the upcoming G-7 summit would provide an opportunity for Macron to hold talks with the other European parties to the JCPOA (Britain and Germany), stressing that Iran deems re-negotiating the nuclear deal totally unacceptable.

Tehran is still ready for high-level talks on the implementation of the JCPOA, as already discussed within the framework of the JCPOA Joint Commission, he underlined.

He also said that the issue of freedom of navigation has been mooted in the meeting with Macron, stressing that Iran is the “most reliable party” when it comes to ensuring the security of shipping in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.

“Freedom of navigation is a legal international principle that must apply to everyone. In this regard, Iran is also ready to help guarantee the freedom of shipping in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman in exchange for the freedom of navigation for its own ships,” Zarif added.

The Iranian foreign minister is also going to meet his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian in Paris.

Zarif has visited France after what he called a “fruitful end to Scandinavian tour” that took him to Finland, Sweden and Norway.