Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif arrived in Biarritz, France, on Sunday, where world leaders are gathered for the Group of Summit (G-7) summit.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Zarif made the trip at the invitation of French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian. Zarif’s agenda was not immediately clear, but Iranian officials said there would be “no meetings or negotiations with the American delegation on this trip.”
President TrumpDonald John TrumpGraham: America must ‘accept the pain that comes in standing up to China’ Weld ‘thrilled’ more Republicans are challenging Trump New data challenges Trump’s economic narrative MORE was asked Sunday morning about reports that Zarif was in town and said he had “no comment.”
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The Trump administration last month sanctioned Zarif because he “acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
Iran is one of the most prominent areas of difference among the attendees of the G-7.
Trump announced last year that he was withdrawing the U.S. from the 2015 nuclear pact that granted Tehran sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program. But other G-7 members have remained committed to the pact.
The Trump administration has hammered Iran with sanctions in an effort to cripple its economy. Trump has repeatedly claimed that Iran would like to negotiate a new nuclear deal, but there is no evidence that the two sides are close to coming to the table.
The president earlier Sunday again appeared to break with world leaders on their efforts to address Iranian tensions.
French President Emmanuel MacronEmmanuel Jean-Michel MacronTrump says it’s ‘certainly possible’ Putin will be invited to next year’s G-7 summit Iranian foreign minister arrives at site of G-7 summit Aides accuse Macron of seeking to embarrass Trump with G-7 focus on ‘niche issues’ MORE said the G-7 member nations had agreed on a message to Iran that contained the group’s unified objectives. But Trump said he hadn’t discussed it.
Trump was critical earlier this month of Macron’s efforts to mediate. He complained that the French president and other leaders were sending Iran “mixed signals” by purporting to negotiate on behalf of the U.S.
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