Military clash with Iran almost inevitable if nuclear talks fail – France

France foreign minister, Jean-Noel Barrot, has warned there could be a potential military clash if they fail to reach a new agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme.

Barrot stated this while speaking on Wednesday, after a high-level meeting on Iran chaired by President Emmanuel Macron.

He made it clear that the “window of opportunity” for diplomacy was small with Tehran.

The big European countries are seeking a diplomatic path, with a view to reaching an agreement to curb Iran’s uranium enrichment activity by the middle of the year.

But Tehran has continued denying seeking nuclear weapons, insisting its programme is peaceful.

“The window of opportunity is narrow. We only have a few months until the expiration of this (2015) accord. In the event of failure, a military confrontation would seem to be almost inevitable,” Barrot told parliament.

“Our confidence and our conviction remain intact,” Barrot said.

“Iran must never acquire nuclear weapons.”

He made it clear that France’s priority is securing a “verifiable and durable” agreement to limit Iran’s nuclear activities.

Military clash with Iran almost inevitable if nuclear talks fail – France