French foreign minister Barro said on the 19th that as a UN Security Council
permanent member France must consent to any lifting of UN sanctions on Iran. He
said the US and Iran have signed a memorandum of understanding and that France
will agree to lift UN measures only after Iran makes "major concessions" on its
nuclear programme, ballistic missiles, regional security and activity in the
Strait of Hormuz. Barro reiterated France's consistent opposition to any war
against Iran, saying such a conflict would lack clear objectives and violate
international law. He also urged Israel and HEZBOLLAH to respect ceasefire
provisions in the memorandum and called on the US to press Israel.
