Macron Says the U.S. Shouldn’t ‘Abandon’ the Iran Nuclear Deal
French president Emmanuel Macron used a portion of his speech before Congress to recommend that the United States not withdraw from the Iran nuclear agreement.
During Macron’s press conference with his American counterpart on Tuesday, President Trump reiterated his opposition to the “ridiculous,” “terrible” deal the U.S. and an international coalition made with Iran during the Obama years. In the French leader’s speech today, he expressed considerable disagreement with Trump on several fronts, including the Iran agreement.
Macron began the segment by emphatically stating that Iran will not be allowed to possess nuclear weapons. However, he said that America and France need to take action for maintaining stability in the Middle East, and they shouldn’t get rid of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action as long as it creates a framework for regulating Iran.
“It is true to say that this agreement may not help all concerns – and very important concerns. This is true. But we should not abandon it without having something more substantial instead…That’s why France will not leave the GCPOA.”
As he addressed Trump’s interest in abandoning the deal, Macron said it would be up to the U.S. to determine its responsibilities regarding Iran, and help create a new deal to better address the issue.
“Whatever the decision of the United States will be, we will not leave the floor to the absence of rule. We will not leave the floor to this conflict of powers in Middle East. We will not fuel ourselves in increasing tensions and potential war. That’s my position.”
Watch above, via MSNBC.
[Image via screengrab]
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