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19:56 GMT
PARIS, Aug 23 (KUNA) -- France will continue to defend the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran and seek its full implementation, including providing Tehran with the economic benefits linked with the accord, a senior French official said on Thursday.
"France defends the preservation and implementation of the Vienna agreement by all parties," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Agnes Von der Muhll said in a press briefing.
The United States has withdrawn from the accord and warned all parties doing business with Iran that they could face retaliatory measures and economic sanctions.
Washington has also re-implemented sanctions against the Iranian regime, but in addition to France, Russia, China, Germany and Britain all say they will respect the Vienna Accord which is designed to stop Iran developing a nuclear weapons capability in exchange for economic benefits.
"Together with our partners, notably our European partners, we are looking at ways for Iran to continue to reap, to the extent possible, the economic benefits associated with the implementation of the agreement, notably through the preservation of financial channels and finance mechanisms, provided that it continues to fully comply with the agreement," the French official noted.
But despite the assurances from Paris, a number of high-profile French companies, among them Total Oil and Gas, Peugeot autombiles and others, have decided to halt investments and operations in Iran under threat of US sanctions.
Separately on Thursday, Air France said it, too, would halt services from Paris to Tehran in September under pressure and risk of punitive actions by Washington. (end)
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