A French diplomat says French President Emmanuel Macron outlined details of a French plan to ease tensions with Iran during his working lunch with President Donald Trump at the G-7 summit.
The official, who was speaking anonymously in accordance with the French presidency's customary practices, said France has been working for several weeks on the plan.
The diplomat said France and the United States share the same interests: preventing a nuclear-armed Iran.
France's plan would allow Iran to export oil for a limited amount of time. In exchange, Iran would need to fully implement the 2015 nuclear deal, reduce tensions in the Gulf and open talks.
Macron has taken a lead role in trying to save the nuclear accord, which has been unraveling since Trump pulled the U.S. out of the agreement. Russia, along with Britain, Germany and China, remains a part of the accord.
The French president has held several telephone discussions with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani since July. The general outline of what the French diplomat has revealed today has been hinted at by other sources in recent weeks.
There were even reports that Macron intended to invite Rouhani to the G7 gathering, where other leaders from Africa and Latin America have also been invited.
U.S. President Donald Trump earlier accused Macron of sending “mixed signals” to Iran over possible talks with Washington.
"Iran is in serious financial trouble. They want desperately to talk to the U.S., but are given mixed signals from all of those purporting to represent us, including President Macron of France," Trump tweeted on August 8.
