Iran condemns Macron security remarks as ‘baseless’

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran on Wednesday condemned as “baseless” remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron calling Tehran the main strategic and security challenge in the region.

Foreign ministry spokesperson described Macron’s comments as “baseless, contradictory, and speculative,” according to the state IRNA news agency, calling on Paris to “reconsider its unconstructive approaches toward peace and stability” in the region.

Macron in a speech on Monday said that Tehran is “the main strategic and security challenge for France, the Europeans, the entire region and well beyond,” expressing concern about the “acceleration” of Iran’s nuclear program. 

He said that they expect to discuss the nuclear program with the upcoming US administration of Donald Trump.

“Iran's peaceful nuclear activities are within the framework of international laws and are under the strict and continuous supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and false claims are being made by a government that has refused to fulfill its obligations under the JCPOA,” Baghaei stressed. 

Under a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, known as the JCPOA, Iran agreed to curb its nuclear enrichment program in exchange for much-needed relief from crippling sanctions. 

But Washington, under then-president Donald Trump’s administration, unilaterally withdrew from the accord in 2018 and imposed biting sanctions on Iran, which in turn began rolling back its nuclear program.

Tehran has consistently denied that it seeks to develop an atomic bomb, saying it goes against the Islamic republic’s doctrine. 

In December, Iran said it would consider dropping out of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) if the “snapback” mechanism is enforced.

The “snapback” mechanism restores United Nations sanctions against Iran that were lifted under the agreement.