France asks EU partners for new sanctions on Iran

[webfact]

France asks EU partners for new sanctions on Iran
By GEORGE JAHN and ELAINE GANLEY

PARIS (AP) — France has asked its European Union partners to consider new sanctions on Iran for its recent missile tests, officials have told The Associated Press, even as Paris welcomed the president of the Islamic Republic, which is flush with funds from the lifting of other sanctions over Tehran's nuclear program.

The ambiguous signals emerging Wednesday from France came as President Hassan Rouhani, a relative moderate elected in 2013, signed billions of dollars in business deals on an earlier stop in Italy and met with Pope Francis in the first such Iranian foray into Europe since 1999.

France hopes for similarly lucrative deals during Rouhani's two-day visit, along with regional peacemaking efforts as the once-pariah state emerges from decades of isolation.

But amid the courting of Iran, two officials from EU nations told AP that the request for new sanctions came shortly after the EU and the U.S. lifted sanctions on Tehran on Jan. 16 in exchange for U.N. certification that Iran had scaled back its nuclear programs. Iran said those programs were peaceful but critics feared it wanted to build nuclear weapons.

The two officials said the French request came after the United States had imposed new sanctions on Iran over the firing of a medium-range ballistic missile.

The two officials said the French proposal is formally under EU review, but most other EU members view it as counterproductive to efforts to revive political and economic ties with Iran after the long chill over the nuclear dispute. The officials, who were briefed on the issue, spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the issue publicly.

The French government did not respond to AP requests for comment by late Wednesday. In an email to AP, the European Union also did not address whether France had asked for a review.

A French diplomat who spoke only on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk publicly on the topic cited Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius as saying the EU is reviewing the possibility of new sanctions on Iran. He declined to say which nation initiated the process.

Disclosure that the French asked for such a review — even if it is ultimately unsuccessful — could complicate Rouhani's low-key visit. About 20 accords between companies and ministries were to be signed Thursday, the French president's office said.

Paris also wants to draw Tehran into a role as peacemaker in a Middle East that is fraught with civil war in Syria, where Iran has played an active role in support of President Bashar Assad, and in Yemen.

There was little fanfare in France for the new era being ushered in for Iran as Rouhani works to help his nation of 80 million emerge from isolation and raise its profile in the West, balancing ties with Russia and China. His Paris visit will be marked by a two-hour meeting with President Francois Hollande and ministers.

France, which has deep ties with Arab countries, also conducts a balancing act in the region. Last week, Fabius visited Sunni-majority Saudi Arabia, Iran's fierce rival, and Paris will shortly welcome the Saudi crown prince.

While Shiite powerhouse Iran actively supports the Assad government in Syria, Saudi Arabia — like France — firmly opposes him, and supports rebel groups.

Tensions recently escalated with Saudi Arabia breaking ties with Iran after its embassy in Tehran was mobbed by crowds protesting the execution in Saudi Arabia of a prominent Shiite cleric and opposition figure.

France is trying "to ease tensions by speaking to everyone, which is our vocation," said a ranking French diplomat ahead of Rouhani's arrival. He was not authorized to speak publicly about the visit and asked to remain anonymous.

Iran's human rights record, including hundreds of executions, adds another note of caution for France which presses for the abolition of the death penalty worldwide.

For its part, Iran could raise the issue of France harboring the headquarters of the most organized Iranian opposition group, the People's Mujahedeen of Iran — which planned a Thursday demonstration against Rouhani.

Both countries clearly are opting for pragmatism.

Rouhani was expected to oversee the signing of contracts, including a possible deal with Airbus to renew Iran's fleet of passenger jets. Iran's aviation industry has suffered under sanctions in the past three decades, and of 250 commercial jetliners, only about 150 are flying.

Oil giant Total, engineering group Alstom and carmakers PSA Peugeot-Citroen and Renault-Nissan, with a past presence in Iran, are among companies that could clinch deals, too.

The Italian government and private companies inked more than a dozen accords with Iran covering the metals industry, oil services, rail transport and shipbuilding.

France showed its eagerness to take up where it left off in Iran as soon as the July nuclear deal was signed. Fabius visited Tehran, as did an important delegation of France's main business group, known as Medef, where Rouhani will address business leaders Thursday.

Rouhani was originally scheduled to visit Paris in November, but the trip was called off after Nov. 13 Islamic extremist attacks that killed 130 people.

Rouhani said he and Pope Francis discussed the need for religious leaders to speak out against extremism and terrorism during their audience Tuesday. But in an apparent reference to the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, attacked by extremists a year ago for lampooning the Prophet Muhammad, Rouhani said freedom of expression "doesn't mean offending that which is sacred to other people's faith."
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Jahn reported from Vienna. Associated Press writers Sylvie Corbet and Angela Charlton in Paris and John-Thor Dahlburg and Raf Casert in Brussels contributed.


-- (c) Associated Press 2016-01-28

[johna]

Iran has the right to defend itself, I see nothing wrong with Iran testing missiles, every other nation does this on a regular basis.

[sabian]

I remember a few years ago France conducting a huge test condemned by nearly everyone but they still did it, they have short memories don't they!

[elgordo38]

Good luck France. Why do you think the US signed a nuclear pact with Iran? Because their allies told them they would not participate in extending sanctions. Just sit back and soak up all the cheap oil Iran will have for sale.

[bark]

France, country afraid of its own shadow. All French people should bury their head in the sand or just run and hide; like they did in World War 1 and 2. Very few French stood up to the Germans. The rest just gave up and let the Allies ( England, Canada, USA, Aussies, Kiwi, fight for their country. Sanctions do not work. If the French are unhappy, why don't they go into Iran; and take out the missile sites. Instead of crying.

[GeorgesAbitbol]

France, country afraid of its own shadow. All French people should bury their head in the sand or just run and hide; like they did in World War 1 and 2. Very few French stood up to the Germans. The rest just gave up and let the Allies ( England, Canada, USA, Aussies, Kiwi, fight for their country. Sanctions do not work. If the French are unhappy, why don't they go into Iran; and take out the missile sites. Instead of crying.

What you said is utterly crap, obviously you should learn a bit more about History from WW1 and 2...but it is ok as your comment is directly linked to morons liking FAUX news... Just hope you re not american...if so you should look at your own defeats before open your mouth

[Srikcir]

Iran has the right to defend itself, I see nothing wrong with Iran testing missiles, every other nation does this on a regular basis.

Designing and testing missiles capable of carrying a nuclear warhead is hardly a defensive weapon.

If Iran has agreed to cease and dismantle its nuclear weapons program that it alleges doesn't exist in the first place, why would it need nuclear capability in its missiles? That said, there is no treaty or agreement that speficially forbids Iran to develop nuclear capable missiles - only that it would not arm them with nuclear warheads. It is only the USA's interpretation of a nuclear arms agreement that it forbids development of missiles capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.

Iran does have a legitimate position to develop and test these missiles, albeit not to the USA's liking that may more reflect Israel and Saudi Arabia security needs than the USA security needs.

[Ulic]

Iran has the right to defend itself, I see nothing wrong with Iran testing missiles, every other nation does this on a regular basis.

Designing and testing missiles capable of carrying a nuclear warhead is hardly a defensive weapon.

If Iran has agreed to cease and dismantle its nuclear weapons program that it alleges doesn't exist in the first place, why would it need nuclear capability in its missiles? That said, there is no treaty or agreement that speficially forbids Iran to develop nuclear capable missiles - only that it would not arm them with nuclear warheads. It is only the USA's interpretation of a nuclear arms agreement that it forbids development of missiles capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.

Iran does have a legitimate position to develop and test these missiles, albeit not to the USA's liking that may more reflect Israel and Saudi Arabia security needs than the USA security needs.

The problem is as always the devil is in the details and wording. The agreement Iran signed with the US/West

(as I understand it) forbid the testing and development of rockets DESIGNED to carry nuclear warheads. Not

missiles CAPABLE of carrying a warhead with modifications. Much like countries that signed on do decommission

nuclear weapons, with no deadline date it is an infinite timeframe and there is no intention of this ever happening. Of

course the world fears Iran will like India, Pakistan, North Korea, Israel, will develop weapons outside agreements.

As far as I know only North Korea has faced sanctions. Iran can see the mistake Iraq and Libya made not developing

them. Of course I think nobody should have them and those that have nuclear weapons should face sanctions. Yes

I know it is never going to happen. The only thing I do know is if you have nuclear weapons, and a delivery system

you will not be invaded. As far as humanity has come, we have a long, long, way to go.

[Steely Dan]

The French are merely trying to do what the U.S should be doing, however under Obama the Iranians can break every single agreement they sign and the Obama administration will cover for them.

[rickudon]

With Nuclear armed neighbours on 3 sides all with expansionist policies (Russia, Pakistan, Israel (not a direct neighbour, but very close and hostile)) I would consider a nuclear deterrent as quite desirable. If you are going to impose sanctions, why be selective?

[TheCruncher]

The French are merely trying to do what the U.S should be doing, however under Obama the Iranians can break every single agreement they sign and the Obama administration will cover for them.

Please enlighten us which agreement Iran broke with their missile test.