If negotiations on Iran's nuclear program fail, a "military conflict" would be "almost inevitable," French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said in a speech to Parliament today.
Baro added that the options are dwindling, as there are only a few months left until the current agreement expires.
"Ten years after reaching the Iran nuclear deal, our trust and our conviction remain intact. Iran must never acquire nuclear weapons," Barro said, adding that reaching an agreement that "verifiably and sustainably" limits Iran's nuclear program is a priority.
Concerns are growing as the negotiations appear to be at an impasse, with US President Donald Trump recently saying there will be "bombing of Iran if there is no agreement."
French President Emmanuel Macron convened the Defense Council today to discuss Iran, strategic issues and the crisis in the Middle East.
Iran's nuclear program is at the center of international attention, as is Iran's support for the Houthi rebels in Yemen, who are disrupting shipping in the Red Sea.
Western countries, led by the US, have suspected for decades that Iran wants to build nuclear weapons.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei recently promised a "firm response" if diplomacy fails and Iran is bombed.
In 2015, Iran signed an agreement with France, Germany, the United Kingdom, China, Russia and the United States on its nuclear program in Vienna. In return, international sanctions on Tehran were eased. However, in 2018, Trump, then in his first term as US president (2017-2021), unilaterally withdrew the United States from the agreement and reimposed tough sanctions on Iran. In response, Tehran increased its enriched uranium stockpile to 60 percent, while 90 percent is needed to make nuclear weapons.
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