Iran denies French embassy staff intimidation claims

Iran’s foreign ministry has denied allegations of intimidation against staff at the French embassy in Tehran, which were made by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, describing them as unfounded.

According to the IRNA news agency, the ministry emphasized that Paris must take responsibility for its interventionist behavior toward Iran.

Mohammad Tanhaei, Director of the Second Western Europe Department at the foreign ministry, said the French claims were untrue. He explained that a report from the relevant authorities indicated two French embassy employees attended a meeting with several wanted security suspects and were briefly questioned by security personnel. Multiple documents indicating anti-security activities were found at the location, and investigations are ongoing.

Tanhaei also denied the French foreign minister’s claim that the staff were assaulted, clarifying that once police learned the two individuals were from the French embassy, they were transferred to the diplomatic police headquarters. After coordination with the foreign ministry and contact with the French ambassador, they were handed over to the embassy.

The Iranian official added that the two French embassy staff had acted unlawfully, violating both Iranian law and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961. He said the French foreign minister should take responsibility for the inappropriate conduct of his country’s diplomats in Tehran, rather than deflecting blame.

Tanhaei further stated that the French foreign minister’s claim that the two staff members were supporting “civil society” in Iran highlights France’s interference and is inconsistent with accepted diplomatic functions. He called on France to clarify which international treaty on diplomatic and consular rights allows “support for civil society” in the host country.

He stressed that the French government should cease its interventionist actions and align its Iran policy with established norms governing international relations.

It is worth noting that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in a phone call with his French counterpart Jean-Noël Barrot last night, protested what he described as unusual and undiplomatic behavior by two French diplomats in Tehran.

Araghchi said the actions of the French diplomats were unacceptable, emphasizing that respect for the host country’s laws and regulations, as well as adherence to internationally recognized diplomatic principles, are essential for the continued operation of foreign missions.

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