French FM: Iran Sanctions Relief Tied to Detainees’ Release
WANA (Jan 06) – France’s Foreign Minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, issued a warning on Tuesday, stating that the future of lifting sanctions on Iran and bilateral relations depends on the release of three French nationals detained in the country.
Barrot alleged that the individuals were held on charges of espionage and claimed their detention was unjustified. Speaking at a press conference with French ambassadors, he said, “The situation of our compatriots, held as hostages in Iran, is completely unacceptable. They have been unjustly detained in degrading conditions for years.”
Barrot further alleged, without providing evidence, that the treatment of some detainees “qualifies as torture under international law.”
In a threatening tone, Barrot linked any potential easing of politically motivated sanctions against Iran to the release of the French nationals. He urged Iranian authorities to free the prisoners and warned that future bilateral relations hinge on this issue.
Barrot also advised French citizens to avoid traveling to Iran until the “complete release” of all detained French nationals. He claimed that the situation for these prisoners had worsened since the election of Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian, despite France’s high-level diplomatic efforts.