France: French diplomats detained, interrogated and mistreated in Iran

Paris, July 20 (KUNA) -- French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced on Monday that two officials at the French Embassy in Iran were detained and interrogated by security agencies, describing the incident as a “highly dangerous act of intimidation” that constitutes a blatant violation of diplomatic immunity. In a post on the X platform, Barrot said the officials were held “without any justification” for several hours and subjected to questioning, adding that one of them “was subjected to physical mistreatment” before they were able to return to the embassy premises. He stated that they are now safe and are awaiting their departure to France in the coming hours. The French minister expressed his deep shock at the assault, particularly because the officials oversee France’s programs supporting Iranian civil society, especially artists and scientists. Barrot affirmed that he had informed his Iranian counterpart that this serious and unacceptable violation of the safety of French diplomats “will not go without consequences,” while praising the diplomats’ courage and reaffirming France’s continued support for the Iranian people. Barrot, who is currently visiting Iceland, had stated in recent days that “European sanctions will not be lifted” from Iran until Tehran abandons its nuclear program and its destabilizing activities in the region. (End) M.B./H.M.F.