Iran Shuts French Language Centre Over National Security Claims

Iranian authorities closed the French Language Centre (CLF) in Tehran on September 20, 2026, following a judicial order from the Tehran prosecutor's office. The Government of Iran accused the embassy-affiliated facility of operating without a license and using language instruction as a cover to build networks among Iranian elites to facilitate their emigration. Authorities further alleged the center promoted projects opposed to Iranian-Islamic culture and threatened national security.

The Government of France condemned the closure as an "unjustifiable and unacceptable" attack on its cultural presence. Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot ordered the summoning of the Iranian ambassador and stated that France would implement appropriate response measures. This diplomatic clash follows a pattern of escalation, including the July detention of two French envoys and the subsequent August expulsion of two Iranian diplomats by France.

Tensions were further heightened by a social media post from Barrot commemorating Mahsa Amini. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi dismissed the gesture as "crocodile tears" and criticized France's colonial history in Algeria. The two foreign ministers are scheduled to meet Tuesday during the United Nations General Assembly.