Macron Hints at Imposing Sanctions on Iran over its Ballistic Missiles

French President Emmanuel Macron gestures during a news conference in Dubai, UAE, November 9, 2017. REUTERS/Satish Kumar
French President Emmanuel Macron gestures during a news conference in Dubai, UAE, November 9, 2017. REUTERS/Satish Kumar
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Macron Hints at Imposing Sanctions on Iran over its Ballistic Missiles

French President Emmanuel Macron gestures during a news conference in Dubai, UAE, November 9, 2017. REUTERS/Satish Kumar
French President Emmanuel Macron gestures during a news conference in Dubai, UAE, November 9, 2017. REUTERS/Satish Kumar

French President Emmanuel Macron hinted at the possibility of imposing sanctions on Iran over its ballistic missile program, while stressing the need to add to the Nuclear Deal two clauses pertaining to Tehran’s ballistic activity and discussions on curbing its control over the region.

“It is possible to impose sanctions on Iran’s ballistic missiles,” he said, noting that the Nuclear Deal must be maintained by adding “two pillars: negotiations on Iran’s ballistic activity with sanctions if necessary, and a strategy to limit Iranian hegemony in the entire region.”

“I will try to convince all those who want to reconsider the 2015 agreement, our American partners and the Saudi neighbor,” he said.

Macron announced at a press conference in Dubai on Thursday that he would travel to Saudi Arabia to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss the issues of Lebanon, Yemen and the region in general.

On the other hand, the French president described his visit to Abu Dhabi and Dubai as very fruitful, underlining that the UAE was a “key partner” for France, especially in defense, praising its decision to buy two warships manufactured by the Naval Group.

Macron exchanged with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, talks on bilateral relations and strategic partnership, as well as ways to develop cooperation at various levels.

“We are partners and friends, and our friendship is firm and strong and based on the mutual respect and common national interests,” the Dubai ruler said.

Earlier on Thursday, Macron met with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, with whom he discussed relations of cooperation and friendship, as well as developments in the region.

In remarks following the meeting, the French president expressed his pleasure to visit the UAE and to participate in the opening of the Louvre Museum in Abu Dhabi.

He noted that talks with Sheikh Mohammed were very productive and tackled issues of mutual interest, especially cooperation in the framework of the development of bilateral relations.

Meanwhile, the UAE-France Business Forum, which was held in Dubai on Thursday, called for strategic cooperation in innovation, mobility and sustainability.

The forum was organized by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry in cooperation with the French Embassy in the UAE, Business France - the national agency supporting the internationalization of the French economy, and the French Business Council in Dubai. The event saw the participation of ministers, key decisionmakers, and government and business leaders from the UAE and France.

Addressing the participants, Macron highlighted the shared values of culture, civilization and economy between the UAE and France. He spoke about the need to “create a new world for the young generation, based on respect, tolerance, and reason,” and emphasized the role of business and education to achieve these goals.  He also noted that the UAE and France are making great strides in promoting innovation, and building smart cities.

Meanwhile, the Dubai Chamber signed a joint memorandum of understanding with the Paris Chamber of Commerce, which includes about 650,000 companies operating in the Paris region, which contribute to around 30 percent of France’s GDP.



European Powers May Restore UN Sanctions on Iran

FILED - 18 July 2024, United Kingdom, Woodstock: UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy gives an interview at the European Political Community summit. Photo: Michael Kappeler/dpa
FILED - 18 July 2024, United Kingdom, Woodstock: UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy gives an interview at the European Political Community summit. Photo: Michael Kappeler/dpa
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European Powers May Restore UN Sanctions on Iran

FILED - 18 July 2024, United Kingdom, Woodstock: UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy gives an interview at the European Political Community summit. Photo: Michael Kappeler/dpa
FILED - 18 July 2024, United Kingdom, Woodstock: UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy gives an interview at the European Political Community summit. Photo: Michael Kappeler/dpa

The European troika, known as the E3, may restore UN sanctions on Iran under the snapback mechanism, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said on Tuesday, warning that the move could increase Tehran's suffering unless it takes a serious stance on stepping back from its nuclear program.

Speaking to the UK parliament’s foreign affairs select committee, Lammy said: “Iran faces even more pressure in the coming weeks because the E3 can snap back on our sanctions, and it’s not just our sanctions, it’s actually a UN mechanism that would impose dramatic sanctions on Iran across nearly every single front in its economy.”

“So they have a choice to make. It’s a choice for them to make. I’m very clear about the choice they should make, but I’m also clear that the UK has a decision to make that could lead to far greater pain for the Iranian regime unless they get serious about the international desire to see them step back from their nuclear ambitions,” he added.

Meanwhile, a French diplomatic source told Reuters on Tuesday that European powers would have to restore UN sanctions on Iran if there were no nuclear deal that guaranteed European security interests.

The source spoke after a call between French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and Lammy ahead of a Franco-British summit.

Last Thursday, France threatened “retaliatory measures” against Tehran if it persisted with new charges against a French couple held in Iran, including accusations that they spied for Israel.

Snapback Mechanism

France, Britain and Germany - the E3 – are threatening to activate the snapback mechanism that would reinstate all United Nations Security Council sanctions previously levied on Iran.

According to diplomats, the E3 countries may trigger the snapback by August if no substantial deal can be found by then. The window closes on October 18.

UN resolution 2231 allows a State Party to the agreement to address a complaint to the Security Council about significant non-performance by another JCPOA participant.

Within 30 days of receiving such a notification, the UN Security Council shall vote on a draft resolution to either maintain the termination of previous sanctions or allow them to be reimposed.

European powers are considering triggering the snapback mechanism after Iran's decision to suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).