Categories: World

Iran’s nuclear program is nearing ‘the point of no return,’ France’s Macron says

close Video

Weaker Iran could open door to new nuclear talks under Trump: ‘New sheriff in town,’ says Pompeo

Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reacts to speculation that a weak Iran could open the door to new nuclear talks and how the second Trump administration can hold Iran accountable.

Iran’s nuclear program is nearing the “point of no return,” French President Emmanuel Macron is now warning. 

Iran is the top “strategic and security challenge” for France and Europe this year, Macron said this week during an annual foreign policy conference with French ambassadors, according to Reuters. 

“The acceleration of the nuclear program leads us nearly to the point of no return,” the French leader was quoted as saying. 

“In the coming months we will have to ask ourselves whether to use… the mechanism to restore sanctions,” Macron added. 

BIDEN, JAKE SULLIVAN DISCUSSED POSSIBILITY OF HITTING IRAN NUCLEAR PROGRAM: REPORT 

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, left, and French President Emmanuel Macron. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/Aurelien Morissard/Reuters)

The comments come after International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi told Reuters in December that Iran is enriching uranium close to the 90% level required for weapons grade. 

French, German and British diplomats are now set to meet their Iranian counterparts on Jan. 13 in an effort to defuse tensions, according to Reuters. 

“Tehran is afraid of a united and transatlantic front against the Islamic Republic and is trying to tempt both Trump and Europe with talks aimed at [delaying] the regime’s nuclear march,” Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told Fox News Digital.

Iran has argued that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. 

IRAN EXECUTES OVER 1,000 PRISONERS IN 2024, HIGHEST TOTAL IN 30 YEARS, REPORT SAYS 

This photo released in November 2019 by the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran shows centrifuge machines in the Natanz uranium enrichment facility in central Iran.  (Atomic Energy Organization of Iran via AP, File)

Axios recently reported that in a top meeting with National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan roughly a month ago, President Biden was presented with a series of strike options should Iran make a move to develop a nuclear weapon.

Biden has vowed not to let Iran develop a nuclear weapon on his watch, but it remains unclear what steps Iran would have to take in order for the Biden administration to respond with direct hits, given that Tehran has already been reported to have stockpiled near-weapons-grade uranium and to be bolstering its weaponization capabilities.

The president was reportedly presented with a series of scenarios and response options during the meeting, though sources told the outlet that Biden has not made any final decisions regarding the information he was given.  

French President Emmanuel Macron delivers his speech to French ambassadors posted around the world on Monday, Jan. 6, at the Elysee Palace in Paris.       (Aurelien Morissard/Reuters)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP 

Another source reportedly told Axios there currently are no active discussions on militarily hitting Iran’s program.

Fox News’ Caitlin McFall contributed to this report. 

Greg Norman is a reporter at Fox News Digital.

Related Topics

  • Iran
  • Nuclear Proliferation
  • Nuclear
  • France
  • Europe
  • Middle East
  • Joe Biden
Share

Recent Posts

Teen missing more than 4 months found hundreds of miles away in sex offender’s home

close Video Doorbell camera captures masked man kidnapping teen from front porch An Astoria mother…

2 hours ago

11 high school athletes face charges in armed ‘hazing’ after prosecutor’s ultimatum

close Video Former San Diego University student says hazing put him in a coma A…

2 hours ago

Mississippi delivery driver accused of trying to steal retired deputy’s order

close Video How is California working to stop retail theft? Attorney and retired NYPD inspector…

2 hours ago

Los Angeles police hope to reunite firearm owners with guns after devastating Palisades Fire

close Video We just want to go home, says Pacific Palisades resident Pacific Palisades residents…

2 hours ago

Trump says public entitlements like Social Security, Medicaid won’t be touched in GOP budget bill

President Donald Trump said public entitlements, such as Social Security and Medicaid, will not be…

2 hours ago

Former Democrat Hill staffers challenge the aging establishment in Congress: report

With Republicans firmly in control of Washington following the 2024 elections and President Trump implementing…

2 hours ago