France says diplomats assaulted in Tehran return to Paris
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- France says two diplomats assaulted in Tehran have returned to Paris and will continue their work remotely.
- Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said the diplomats were targeted over France's support for Iranian civil society.
Two French diplomats who were assaulted in Tehran have returned to Paris and are receiving support after what France described as an "extremely serious and premeditated" attack, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said on Thursday.
Speaking to France Inter, Barrot said the diplomats arrived in Paris on Wednesday and remain "in shock" following the incident.
Barrot said the two diplomats do not wish to return to Tehran but will continue carrying out their mission remotely from Paris until the end of their assignment.
"They returned to Paris yesterday and are receiving all the necessary support after this extremely serious and premeditated attack," he said.
The foreign minister said the diplomats had been working in Tehran to develop programs supporting Iranian civil society, including students and artists seeking opportunities to study or participate in artist residency programs in France.
Barrot argued that the assault was aimed at France's efforts to support Iranian civil society.
He also accused the Iranian government of trying to discourage France from continuing that support, adding that Paris would maintain its assistance to the Iranian people despite the incident.
