Iran calls French diplomat expulsions illegal
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
- France expels two Iranian diplomats in retaliation.
- Diplomatic row escalates over detained French staff.
- Tehran, Paris trade accusations over Vienna Convention.
- France-Iran tensions deepen over diplomatic immunity.
Iran's Foreign Ministry denounced France's decision to expel two Iranian diplomats on Monday, terming the retaliatory measure "illegal" and warning that it harms bilateral relations.
Speaking at a weekly press conference in Tehran, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei asserted that Paris responded unlawfully to a legitimate diplomatic step taken by Iran.
"The action that France took is an illegal action in response to Iran's legal action, and is in no way helpful to bilateral relations," Baqaei stated during the briefing.
Escalating diplomatic sanctions
The confrontation flared after Baqaei confirmed that two French diplomats—briefly detained by Iranian authorities in July—would not be permitted to re-enter Iran.
Iranian officials alleged that the diplomats engaged in activities beyond their official mandates and interfered in domestic affairs in violation of the 1961 Vienna Convention.
In response, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced that France would expel two Iranian diplomats in the coming days. Barrot described the treatment of French personnel in Tehran as "intolerable," accusing Iranian security services of targeting the diplomats in "flagrant violation of diplomatic immunity" and executing acts of intimidation.
Baqaei maintained that Paris ought to apologize for the conduct of its diplomats, insisting that Tehran acted within its rights to protect national security.
The exchange represents a sharp deterioration in diplomatic ties between Iran and France.
