Iran Warns France After Detaining Two Diplomats in Tehran

The Ministry of Intelligence of Iran warned the French government against illegal interference in its internal affairs following the July 20 detention of two French diplomats in Tehran. Iranian authorities claim security forces discovered the diplomats at a secret meeting while executing a judicial order to arrest suspects in a foreign infiltration case. The ministry alleges seized documents reveal a large-scale project to undermine Iranian independence, involving contracts signed by a former French ambassador.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot condemned the incident, reporting that the officials were detained for several hours and interrogated, with one diplomat being physically abused. Barrot noted that the officials oversaw programs supporting Iranian artists and scientists, describing the assault as shocking.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi defended the detention in a phone call with Barrot, characterizing the diplomats' behavior as unconventional and contrary to diplomatic norms. While the diplomats were eventually handed over to the French ambassador and have since returned to France, Barrot informed Araghchi that the event cannot go without consequences. Iran has threatened fitting responses to any future violations of domestic laws or diplomatic obligations.