France to ease up Iran sanctions
In this picture released by Tasnim News Agency on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013, members of Iran’s paramilitary Basij force, which is controlled by the Revolutionary Guard, attend a maneuver of preparation for possible attack on Iran’s nuclear sites, by the nuclear power plant in Bushehr, southern Iran. AP FILE PHOTO
PARIS, France—France’s foreign minister says sanctions against Iran could be partially lifted as soon as December, with a Europe-wide decision in coming weeks.
Laurent Fabius told Europe 1 radio Monday that to start lifting the sanctions “a Europe-wide decision is necessary. That’s expected in several weeks, for a partial lifting that is targeted, reversible.”
Fabius participated in weekend talks between Iranian officials and world powers that ended with an agreement allowing Iran to keep the central elements of its uranium program while stopping its enrichment at a level lower than what is needed for nuclear arms. In addition to a six-month window for Iran to allow more United Nations access to nuclear sites, the sanctions that have devastated the country’s economy will be eased, though not ended.
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