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Military operation vs Iran to jeopardize stability of entire region - French Foreign Minister

“If Iran’s nuclear programme has military aims – that is, they prepare to lay hands on the bomb – this is unacceptable,” said Alain Juppe

PARIS, November 6 (Itar-Tass) — A possible military operation against Iran is very undesirable, since it threatens to destabilize the entire region. This point of view was expressed here on Sunday by French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe, speaking live over Europe-1 radio station.

“If Iran’s nuclear programme has military aims – that is, they prepare to lay hands on the bomb – this is unacceptable,” said the French minister. “This runs counter to international agreements and will also put into jeopardy both the region and far beyond its boundaries.”

However, according to the foreign minister, direct military interference is very undesirable in this case, since it “can create a situation of total destabilization in the region”. “It is necessary to do everything possible to avoid this,” he emphasized.

Juppe noted that in this connection, France deems it necessary to abide by the strategy of a dialogue and sanctions. “If it is necessary, we are ready to stiffen them so as to put additional pressure on Iran,” the minister added.

At the same time, he continued, if Israel is attacked, France will always be on its side. On the other hand, replying to a question by a reporter what France’s stand will be if Israelis strike first, Juppe noted that “this is quite another pair of shoes”. “I’d like things not going that far,” he underlined.

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