France will not approve the lifting of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions on Iran unless it is satisfied that talks on Tehran’s nuclear programme meet its expectations, Reuters reports, citing the country’s foreign minister.

Jean-Noel Barrot, whose country is a veto-wielding member of the UNSC, said there would be no stability in the region unless US talks with Iran resolved questions around Iran’s ballistic missile programme and support for proxies.

“We need a radical change of posture by Iran,” he said.

French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot speaks during a press conference with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein (not pictured) as they meet in Baghdad, Iraq on February 5, 2026. — Reuters/File
French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot speaks during a press conference with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein (not pictured) as they meet in Baghdad, Iraq on February 5, 2026. — Reuters/File

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