PARIS — The French leadership is finding it harder and harder to separate the talks on a new nuclear deal with Iran from Iranian human rights violations. The French press reported yesterday and today on Iranian courts condemning protesters to capital punishment. Until a few weeks ago, the Elysée Palace was determined to keep the nuclear and the human rights issues apart, but this week, President Emmanuel Macron admitted it was no longer possible.
Speaking with French reporters after meeting with four Iranian women activists Nov. 14, Macron said the European Union will continue adopting sanctions against Iran in protest of human rights violations. "Something unprecedented is happening. The grandchildren of the revolution are carrying out a revolution and are devouring it," said the French president. He was the first Western leader to use the term "revolution" regarding the ongoing demonstrations in Iran.
