France Cancels Dinner Over Iranian President's Wine-Free Request
- 9 years ago
No dinner with extended family is complete without a little whine.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is making a European tour starting this weekend, following a sweeping deal with Europe and the U.S. that would lift international sanctions in exchange for strict nuclear rules.
But no rules are more strict, perhaps, than France's cultural and culinary customs.
French officials reportedly canceled plans for a formal meal in Paris between Rouhani and French President Francois Hollande, because the Iranians demanded a wine-free affair with halal meat, The Independent reports.
The two leaders will instead meet on Tuesday but not over a meal.
French officials apparently tried to counter Iran's demands with an offer of breakfast, but reports suggest that the Iranians called that idea "too cheap."
But the meeting is nevertheless an important moment for both.
France is among several European powers planning to lift economic sanctions on Iran in exchange for strict monitoring and limits on the country's nuclear program.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is making a European tour starting this weekend, following a sweeping deal with Europe and the U.S. that would lift international sanctions in exchange for strict nuclear rules.
But no rules are more strict, perhaps, than France's cultural and culinary customs.
French officials reportedly canceled plans for a formal meal in Paris between Rouhani and French President Francois Hollande, because the Iranians demanded a wine-free affair with halal meat, The Independent reports.
The two leaders will instead meet on Tuesday but not over a meal.
French officials apparently tried to counter Iran's demands with an offer of breakfast, but reports suggest that the Iranians called that idea "too cheap."
But the meeting is nevertheless an important moment for both.
France is among several European powers planning to lift economic sanctions on Iran in exchange for strict monitoring and limits on the country's nuclear program.