“If a State fails in its obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty, it is legitimate, once dialogue has been exhausted, to refer it to the Security Council,” Villepin told a summit of world leaders at the United Nations.
“It is in this spirit that France urges Iran to conform to the resolutions of the International Atomic Energy Agency and comply with its international commitments, and first the Paris Agreement.”
Under an agreement made last year with Britain, France and Germany, the Iranian government agreed to suspend its programme leading to the enrichment of uranium, a key step in the production of nuclear weapons.
Iran has insisted its atomic programme is peaceful but the United States accuses the Islamic Republic of seeking a nuclear bomb.
“In the nuclear sphere, we have all put our trust in the International Atomic Energy Agency,” said Villepin. “There are rights to uphold, in particular the peaceful use of nuclear energy. But there are also duties to enforce, for the security of all.”
