Iran has stopped two French embassy workers from returning to the country, in a move that could further worsen the diplomatic tension between Tehran and Paris.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baghaei, announced this on Monday, accusing the two employees of violating the Vienna Convention by engaging in activities aimed at supporting Iranian civil society.
Speaking at his weekly press briefing, Baghaei said their involvement in programmes supporting civil society amounted to a breach of the rules governing diplomatic missions.
“Insisting that these individuals were engaged in activities related to supporting civil society is itself an admission that the Vienna Convention was violated,” he said, without giving further details.
The dispute followed allegations by France that Iranian security officials detained and physically intimidated members of its embassy staff in Tehran.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said last month that the two employees were responsible for developing programmes to support Iranian civil society, students and artists.
“France is one of the countries in the world that does the most for Iranian civil society, and we have paid the price for it,” Barrot said in an interview with France Inter.
France summoned Iran’s chargé d’affaires on July 21 following the allegations against Iranian security forces.
The latest development comes amid strained relations between Iran and Western countries, particularly over what Tehran considers foreign interference in its internal affairs.
Tensions have also risen sharply since the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran in late February, with the conflict still ongoing.
