American laws apply in the United States.
They do not apply in France. At a time when the Clinton administration has expressed concern at what it sees as Iran's efforts to build a nuclear arsenal, the French decision to pour money into Iran is particularly sensitive. Jospin said Total Oil Group, which signed the contract Sunday, was a private company and made its own decisions. The disagreement appeared to open another stormy chapter in relations between the United States and France at a time when officials on both sides of the Atlantic have been trying to paper over the cracks. Officials said France was confronted last week with a formal American protest urging the government to stop the contract, but ignored the plea, delivered to French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine by American Ambassador Felix Rohatyn.