WANA (Aug 15) – Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence has warned the French government that it will be held accountable for the actions of its diplomats, following the detention of two French diplomats who were found at a secret meeting place linked to a case involving foreign infiltration and interference.

 

In a statement, the ministry said its agents discovered the presence of the two French diplomats while carrying out a judicial order to detain two suspects in a major case involving foreign influence and interference.

 

According to the statement, the diplomats had a record of violations and conduct deemed inconsistent with Iranian laws and diplomatic obligations. After their identities were verified, the matter was reported to Iran’s Foreign Ministry, and the two diplomats were subsequently handed over to Iran’s ambassador to France in the presence of diplomatic police.

 

The Intelligence Ministry said it had initially refrained from publicly disclosing the diplomats’ conduct while continuing its investigation into the suspects and examining documents and evidence recovered from the meeting site.

 

The ministry said a preliminary review of the documents pointed to a broader project involving infiltration, foreign interference and efforts to establish covert networks and contacts with individuals inside and outside Iran.

 

It added that the signatures of a former French ambassador to Iran were found on contracts linked to the project, and said the French government should explain its involvement in what it described as an attempt to interfere in Iran’s internal affairs.

 

The ministry also warned that any repeat of what it described as unlawful and interventionist activities by foreign diplomats would face a response from Iranian authorities.

 

The statement further pointed to France’s 2024 legislation aimed at preventing foreign interference, saying Paris was therefore familiar with the legal framework governing such activities.

 

The Ministry of Intelligence said the investigation remains ongoing and that further information would be released at a later stage.