WANA (Jul 03) – French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has once again demanded the immediate release of two French nationals detained in Iran on espionage charges, setting their freedom as a condition for refraining from triggering the snapback mechanism against Tehran.

 

Barrot stated that France’s decision regarding the possible reimposition of international sanctions on Iran’s nuclear program is “conditional” upon the release of Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, who were arrested in May 2022.

 

“The release of Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris is an absolute priority for us,” the minister said.

 

He added, “We have always told our Iranian counterparts that any potential decision on sanctions would depend on resolving this major issue.”

 

Earlier on Wednesday, AFP cited a Western diplomatic source and a person close to the detainees claiming Kohler and Paris face charges of “espionage for Mossad,” the Israeli foreign intelligence service, as well as “propaganda against the system” and “corruption on earth.” However, Tehran has yet to confirm whether new charges have been officially filed against them.

 

Barrot noted, “Iranian authorities have not formally notified us of the charges against our two compatriots. If these charges are confirmed, we consider them completely baseless and unjustified.”

 

Western countries have repeatedly threatened Iran with the so-called “snapback mechanism,” which would reimpose international sanctions in response to concerns over Tehran’s peaceful nuclear program.