French President Emmanuel Macron affirmed on Wednesday that he would continue to try and convince President Trump to change his mind concerning the controversial 2015 nuclear deal with Iran and world powers.
While speaking to reporters in New York City, where members of the United Nations gathered this week, Macron also mentioned that the Obama-era agreement was insufficient by itself.
“Is this agreement enough? No. It is not, given the evolution of the regional situation and increasing pressure that Iran is exerting on the region, and given … increased activity by Iran on the ballistic level since the accord,” Macron said.
Despite Trump’s harsh criticism of the deal, Macron is urging him to keep the deal because he fears Iran would behave similarly to North Korea.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson met with U.S. partners to discuss the future of the agreement Wednesday.
“We clearly have significant issues with the agreement,” Tillerson told reporters during a briefing in New York.
Tillerson said the agreement was designed to promote “a stable and more peaceful region [in the Middle East] and regrettably … We have seen anything but a more peaceful region.”
The primary concern for the Trump administration regarding the Iran agreement is the “sunset clause,” which established time limits for some portions of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which was stuck by Iran, the U.S. and five other countries.
Trump said Wednesday he has already reached a decision concerning the joint agreement but hasn’t revealed what it is.
