U.S. rejects French request for Iran exemptions, Le Maire tells Le Figaro

French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire arrives at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, July 6, 2018. REUTERS/Regis Duvignau

PARIS (Reuters) - The United States has rejected a French request for waivers for its companies operating in Iran that Paris sought after President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on the Islamic Republic, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire told Le Figaro.

Paris had singled out key areas where it expected either exemptions or extended wind-down periods for French companies, including energy, banking, pharmaceuticals and automotive.