France’s double standards: Concerns about Iran’s nuclear energy, silence in relation to Israel’s nuclear weapons

Pars Today – Iran’s permanent representative to the United Nations, in a letter to the UN Security Council, declared: “The French Foreign Minister’s claims that Iran is on the verge of developing nuclear weapons are completely baseless and irresponsible”.
Amir Saeed Iravani, Iran’s ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations, in a letter to the current president of the Security Council and UN Secretary-General António Guterres, rejected the French Foreign Minister’s claims that Iran is “on the verge of developing nuclear weapons”. According to a Pars Today report, Iravani wrote: “The Islamic Republic of Iran has never sought to acquire nuclear weapons and has not changed its defense doctrine.”
The text of the letter from Amir Saeed Iravani, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations, to the Security Council regarding the statements of the French Foreign Minister is as follows:
In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Following the instructions of my Government, I hereby draw Your Excellency’s attention to the statements made by Jean-Noël Barrow, Minister for European and Foreign Affairs of France, during a closed session of the United Nations Security Council on 28 April 2025.
In the course of his remarks, the French Foreign Minister made unfounded and politically motivated allegations regarding the peaceful nuclear program of the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the baseless claim that “Iran is on the verge of developing nuclear weapons.”
Such accusations are either the result of a fundamental misunderstanding or a deliberate attempt to distort Iran’s legal rights under international law. Such statements also represent a selective reading of the facts and are an example of a continuing pattern of double standards by a country that, as a permanent member of the Security Council, bears a special responsibility. In this regard, I would like to inform Your Excellency and the members of the Security Council of the following:
(1) The allegations that Iran is “on the brink” of developing nuclear weapons are completely baseless and politically irresponsible. The Islamic Republic of Iran has never sought to acquire nuclear weapons and has not changed its defense doctrine. Iran firmly rejects all weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons.
As a founding member of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, Iran remains committed to its obligations under the Treaty. The International Atomic Energy Agency continuously monitors and verifies the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program; The reports of this body have also consistently confirmed that there has been no diversion of nuclear materials for non-peaceful purposes.
(2)  The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was a historic and multilateral achievement, which was overwhelmingly endorsed by the Security Council through resolution 2231 (2015). The collapse of the agreement occurred not because of Iran’s actions, but because of the illegal and reckless withdrawal of the United States of America and the failure of the European Troika to implement its economic commitments.
In response, Iran adopted a policy of strategic patience for more than a year and then gradually reduced and suspended its commitments in accordance with Articles 26 and 36 of the JCPOA. These measures were fully transparent and proportionate.
(3) The French Foreign Minister’s open threat to reimpose sanctions that would have “devastating effects” on the Iranian economy is a clear example of the use of political and economic coercion. The use of threats and economic blackmail is completely unacceptable and constitutes a clear violation of the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.
Furthermore, France’s threat to activate the so-called trigger mechanism despite its own failure to meet its obligations is contrary to fundamental principles of international law, which prevent a party in breach from invoking its rights under the agreement. Such a move is legally and procedurally flawed, unacceptable and invalid, and would undermine the credibility of the Security Council.
(4)  While France expresses concern about the proliferation risks associated with Iran’s peaceful nuclear program, its own credibility in the field of non-proliferation is severely tarnished by its own record.
France continues to develop and modernize its nuclear arsenal, refuses to grant unconditional negative security assurances to non-nuclear states, remains silent and complicit in the undeclared nuclear weapons program of the Zionist regime, and has not yet fulfilled its disarmament obligations under Article VI of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
(5)  The Islamic Republic of Iran reiterates its commitment to diplomacy and constructive engagement. However, real diplomacy cannot proceed in an atmosphere of threats and pressure. If France and its partners truly seek a diplomatic solution, they must abandon threats and respect the sovereign rights of countries/ nations under international law.
MD/ME