France has announced that it will not agree to lift United Nations sanctions on Iran unless the final agreement in upcoming US-Iran nuclear talks meets its conditions. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barraud said France wants an active role in the discussions and emphasized that the deal must address not only Iran’s nuclear program but also its ballistic missile activities and support for regional proxy groups.

Barraud stated that the lifting of UN sanctions would only occur in exchange for significant concessions from Iran. He reminded that as a permanent and veto-wielding member of the UN Security Council, France’s approval is essential for any sanctions removal. He added that France’s goal is to bring about a fundamental change in Iran’s position and that its opinion is crucial to resolving the crisis.

According to a recent US-Iran understanding, talks on Iran’s nuclear program will take place within 60 days, with the final agreement to be presented to the UN Security Council for approval. France, along with the United Kingdom and Germany, now seeks to help shape the framework for the next round of negotiations.