WANA (Jul 22) – Iran’s Foreign Ministry has rejected France’s allegations regarding the detention and treatment of two French Embassy staff members in Tehran, saying the two had attended a meeting with several security suspects who were wanted by Iranian authorities. The ministry also said documents allegedly linked to anti-security activities were discovered at the meeting and are now under investigation.

 

Mohammad Tanhaei, Director General of the Second Western Europe Department at Iran’s Foreign Ministry, on Wednesday dismissed French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot’s claims that the embassy staff had been intimidated or physically assaulted, describing the allegations as “baseless and false.”

 

According to Tanhaei, the two French nationals attended a meeting on the evening of July 19 with several individuals wanted on security-related charges. He said they were briefly questioned by security forces, adding that numerous documents allegedly indicating anti-security activities were found at the location. The relevant authorities are continuing to examine the materials.

 

Tanhaei denied French claims that the two embassy employees were mistreated, stating that once Iranian authorities confirmed their diplomatic affiliation, they were immediately transferred to the Diplomatic Police headquarters. After coordination with the Foreign Ministry and contact with the French ambassador, the two individuals were returned to the French Embassy.

 

The Iranian official argued that the conduct of the two embassy staff members violated both the laws of the host country and the provisions of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. He said France should answer for what he described as the “improper diplomatic conduct” of its personnel in Tehran rather than making accusations against Iran.

 

Tanhaei also challenged France’s assertion that the two staff members had been working to support “civil society,” saying such a claim itself reflected interference in Iran’s internal affairs and activities beyond the normal scope of diplomatic missions. He called on Paris to explain under which international legal framework such activities are permitted in a host country.

 

He further urged France to refrain from what he described as interventionist policies toward Iran and to conduct bilateral relations in accordance with established principles of international law and diplomatic practice.

 

Iranian and French Foreign Ministers Hold Phone Talks

WANA (Apr 26) – Seyed Abbas Araghchi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and Jean-Noël Barrot, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of France, held a telephone conversation today, Sunday.   The Foreign Minister of Iran informed his French counterpart of the latest status and developments related to the ceasefire and […]

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The remarks came after French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot claimed that two French diplomats in Tehran had been detained for several hours, questioned, and subjected to physical intimidation by Iranian security forces. He described the incident as “a clear violation of diplomatic immunity” and said the two would leave Iran and return to Paris.

 

Following the incident, France’s Foreign Ministry summoned Iran’s chargé d’affaires in Paris, calling for a full explanation, accountability for those responsible, and guarantees for the security of the French Embassy and its staff in Tehran.

 

Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in a phone call with his French counterpart, criticized what he described as the “unconventional and unacceptable” conduct of the two French embassy staff members. He stressed that compliance with the laws and regulations of the host country and adherence to internationally recognized diplomatic norms are essential conditions for the continued operation of foreign diplomatic missions.