Iran Detains Two French Diplomats Amid Foreign Interference Probe
The incident comes amid already strained relations between Tehran and Paris
Tehran: Iran's Intelligence Ministry said Saturday that two French diplomats were briefly detained during a national security investigation into alleged foreign interference before being handed over to the French ambassador, state news agency IRNA reported.
The ministry said its intelligence units encountered the diplomats while carrying out a judicial order to arrest two suspects as part of an investigation into alleged "foreign infiltration and interference."
After verifying their identities, Iranian authorities notified the Foreign Ministry and handed the diplomats over to the French ambassador under diplomatic police escort.
According to the ministry, authorities were examining documents and evidence seized from the site when the French side allegedly launched a media campaign aimed at diverting attention from what Tehran described as confirmed violations.
Iranian officials claimed a preliminary examination of the seized documents revealed details of an alleged foreign project involving efforts to identify individuals, establish covert contacts inside and outside Iran and build secret networks with people of interest to foreign parties.
The ministry further claimed that contracts linked to the alleged project bore the signature of France's former ambassador to Iran, and demanded that the French government explain what it described as illegal and interventionist activities.
Iran warned that foreign diplomats would not be allowed to engage in activities it considers illegal or interference in the country's internal affairs, particularly during wartime.
The incident comes amid already strained relations between Tehran and Paris.
Earlier on August 13, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi criticised France and 25 other countries, along with the European Union, after they condemned alleged executions of protesters in Iran.
Araghchi accused France and other Western governments of hypocrisy over their criticism of Iran, pointing to their support for Israel during the Gaza conflict and Israel's military action against Iran.
France, Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom and several other countries had issued a joint statement condemning what they described as ongoing executions of protesters and the use of the death penalty in Iran.