France, UK Voice Concerns over Iran’s Nuclear Program

France and the United Kingdom have expressed their concerns about the intensification of Iranian efforts to pursue a nuclear program, and have urged Tehran to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The France - United Kingdom summit took place in Paris on Friday for the first time since 2018. In a joint statement released after the talks, the two countries "reaffirm their determination to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon capability."

The document said the UK and France "share grave concerns about Iran’s serious escalation of its nuclear program," the document reads.

"They expect Iran to fully cooperate with the [International Atomic Energy] Agency <…> and to comply with all its commitments and legally-binding international obligations with the IAEA," the two nations noted.

Paris and London are set to "reinforce their close coordination on preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon capability."

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Iran's nuclear program was signed with Iran in 2015 in order to overcome its nuclear research crisis by the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and Germany.

The former President of the United States, Donald Trump, withdrew from this agreement in 2018. The current US leader, Joe Biden, has repeatedly indicated his desire to bring Washington back into the nuclear deal.

Since April 2021, Russia, Britain, Germany, China, the US, and France have been holding talks with Iran in Vienna with the aim of returning the JCPOA to its original form.

In March, IAEA Director Rafael Grossi said that another round of nuclear talks with Iran is scheduled in one week.