Iran says two French embassy employees barred from returning
- On Monday, Iran's Foreign Ministry announced that two French embassy employees involved in a July dispute will be barred from returning to the country, with spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei alleging they violated the Vienna Convention by supporting Iranian civil society.
- The dispute centers on 'Villa Zadig,' a French Embassy cultural project promoting exchanges with students and artists, though Iranian officials characterized a July 19 meeting at artist Arya Kasaei's home as a site of 'illegal presence.'
- During the July 19 meeting, Iranian security forces arrested artists Arya Kasaei and Elaheh Naghilou while the French cultural attaché was present; Iran's Intelligence Ministry labeled the gathering a 'major case of foreign infiltration' and interference.
- French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot denounced the event as an 'extremely serious act of intimidation by the Iranian security services,' stating the diplomats were detained without reason while supporting Iranian civil society.
- Tehran remains highly sensitive to perceived Western meddling in internal affairs, particularly following attacks in late February; the Intelligence Ministry accused France of operating a 'wide-ranging project aimed at exerting influence' and preparing actions against Iranian independence.
72 Articles
72 Articles
The French Foreign Minister announced the expulsion of two employees of the Iranian embassy in Paris.
France will expel two Iranian diplomats in the coming days, which Paris considers to be a response to the ban on two French diplomats returning to Iran after the incident in Tehran.
The French cultural attaché has been interrogated in Tehran under contact ban. Foreign Minister Barrot speaks of "unacceptable behaviour" and draws conclusions.
This decision comes in retaliation to Iran, which decreed "persona non grata" two agents of the French embassy in Tehran who were arrested in July. "An extremely serious intimidation on the part of the Iranian security services," Jean-Noël Barrot said.
France accused Iran of assaulting two French diplomats and, in response, expelling two members of the staff of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic, the French Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday.
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