Iran Releases Two Detained French Diplomats; France Reports 'Physical Abuse'

▲ French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot

Two French diplomats stationed in Iran were detained by local security authorities for several hours before being released, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced on July 20 (local time).

Minister Barrot wrote on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that "on Sunday evening (July 19), two members of the French embassy staff were subjected to extremely serious acts of intimidation by Iranian security forces, in clear violation of diplomatic immunity."

He criticized the incident, stating, "They were detained and interrogated for several hours without any justification, and one of them was even subjected to physical abuse."

He added that the detained diplomats have been released, are currently under protection at the embassy, and are scheduled to return to France soon.

Minister Barrot stated that the attack was "all the more shocking" because the two staff members were responsible for programs supporting civil society, including Iranian artists and scientists. He further noted that he had protested to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, telling him that "such a serious and unacceptable attack cannot be tolerated."

This detention of diplomats comes three months after Iran fully released two French nationals in early April, who had been held for approximately four years on espionage charges.

Last week, Minister Barrot urged Iran to change its stance, stating that European sanctions against Iran would not be lifted unless the country halts its nuclear program and activities that cause regional instability.

(Photo: Getty Images Korea)

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