France has vowed to take action after Iranian authorities shut down a French language centre affiliated with the French embassy in Tehran, further worsening relations between the two countries.
The French Foreign Ministry said on Sunday that it would summon Iran’s ambassador and take “appropriate measures” over the closure.
French Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pascal Confavreux described the move as “unjustifiable and unacceptable,” saying it followed the arrest of two French embassy staff members in Tehran in July.
The closure adds to growing tensions between Paris and Tehran, whose relations have been strained for years over Iran’s nuclear programme and the detention of several French nationals.
Relations had improved somewhat following the release of the detained French citizens and France’s decision to distance itself from the US war against Iran. However, tensions increased again after Iran arrested and later expelled two French diplomats during the summer.
France responded by expelling two Iranian diplomats.
Iran Cites Security Concerns
Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that the French language centre was closed following a judicial order from the Tehran prosecutor’s office.
Iranian authorities accused the centre of operating for years without the required licence despite repeated warnings.
They also alleged that the centre had engaged in activities that threatened Iranian culture and national security, including identifying and building networks and helping skilled Iranians leave the country.
France has previously rejected such allegations, saying Iranian authorities had increased pressure on its diplomatic and cultural activities as Paris strengthened its support for contacts with Iranian civil society.
The latest dispute also follows a social media post by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot marking the fourth anniversary of the death of Mahsa Amini, whose death triggered widespread protests in Iran.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi criticised the post, describing it as “crocodile tears” and accusing France of killing 1.5 million Algerians during Algeria’s war of independence.
Araqchi also criticised France over a US strike in Iran that Tehran says was carried out by Washington.
Ministers Set for UN Meeting
Despite the latest dispute, Barrot and Araqchi are scheduled to meet on Tuesday on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The meeting will take place as relations between Paris and Tehran remain tense over diplomatic disputes, Iran’s nuclear programme and the wider conflict involving Iran and the United States.
