France Rules Out Lifting Iran Sanctions While Strait of Hormuz Is Blocked

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated that lifting international sanctions on Iran is out of the question as long as the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked. Iran is seeking sanctions relief from the United States in exchange for concessions on its nuclear program, but no sanctions should be eased under the current circumstances. This reflects France’s firm stance that negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program cannot be separated from broader regional security concerns.