Key facts
- Two French diplomats were detained and interrogated in Tehran.
- One diplomat reportedly suffered physical assault.
- France summoned Iran's charge d'affaires to protest the incident.
- Iran's Foreign Minister described the diplomats' actions as 'unacceptable.'
- France warned of consequences for the alleged mistreatment.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has described the actions of two French diplomats detained in Tehran as 'unconventional,' 'unprofessional,' and 'unacceptable.' This statement follows France's protest over the diplomats' detention and alleged mistreatment by Iranian security services. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot had warned of potential consequences for the incident, characterizing it as a 'serious act of intimidation' and a violation of diplomatic immunity. Barrot stated that the two diplomats were detained for several hours, interrogated, and one was physically assaulted before returning to the embassy. An Iranian foreign ministry official, Mohammad Tanhaei, was quoted by state media as saying that security agents questioned the diplomats after they met with individuals being investigated for security reasons, denying any intimidation or mistreatment. France summoned the Iranian charge d'affaires to protest the incident and expects Iranian authorities to investigate, punish perpetrators, and ensure the security of its personnel and premises. The incident occurs amid broader tensions between France and Iran, with Paris linking the lifting of European sanctions on Tehran to its nuclear program and regional activities.