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Diplomats detained in Tehran
Iran’s Intelligence Ministry said it detained two French diplomats during a national security investigation into alleged foreign interference, after intelligence units encountered them at a secret meeting place while executing a judicial order to arrest two suspects.
“had an extensive record of violations and conduct contrary to the country's domestic laws and diplomatic obligations.”
Tehran said it verified the diplomats’ identities, notified Iran’s Foreign Ministry, and then handed them over to the French ambassador to Iran under diplomatic police escort, while also saying the diplomats had “an extensive record of violations and conduct contrary to the country's domestic laws and diplomatic obligations.”
Iran also said a preliminary examination of seized material uncovered a “sinister project” involving identification of targeted individuals, covert contacts, and network-building inside and outside Iran.
The ministry said contracts found during the investigation bore the signature of France’s former ambassador to Iran, and it warned that foreign diplomats would not be permitted to use diplomatic status for “illegal or interventionist activities.”
Barrot, Baqaei trade accusations
Iran’s Public Relation Office said, “France should not waste its citizens’ tax money on illegal interference in Iran’s affairs,” framing the diplomats’ presence as part of broader foreign interference, human rights double standards, sanctions, and European alignment with Washington.
In response to France’s earlier claims, Tehran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei accused the diplomats of interfering in Iran’s internal affairs under the guise of contacts with civil society.
The BBC reported that on July 20 (29 Tir) French foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot accused Iran’s security forces of violating the diplomats’ immunity by “severe intimidation” of two embassy staff in Tehran, adding that one was “assaulted.”
The BBC also said Barrot wrote on X that the two individuals were “detained and interrogated for several hours without any reason,” while Iran rejected the account and said the diplomats were questioned over “unconventional” conduct.
Diplomatic dispute widens
Tehran said the dispute over the French diplomats has become intertwined with a broader confrontation, warning that European criticism of Iran’s domestic policies cannot be separated from European support for Israel and Washington in regional conflicts.
“European governments remain exposed to higher energy prices, shipping disruptions and broader economic instability”
The Tehran Times piece argued that Iran’s strategic importance, especially through the Strait of Hormuz, gives Tehran bargaining leverage and that European governments remain exposed to higher energy prices, shipping disruptions, and broader economic instability from prolonged uncertainty around the strait.
In a separate statement, Iran’s Intelligence Ministry said it would not allow diplomatic guests to engage in illegal interventionist behavior and warned that if incidents recur, it would take action befitting “aggressors” against those responsible.
The BBC also noted that tensions between Tehran and Paris have been shaped by earlier cases involving French citizens imprisoned in Iran and an Iranian citizen imprisoned in France, including the release of a French couple after more than three years in Iranian prisons on espionage charges.
