France recalls its ambassador to Iran after the seizure and closure of its language center in Tehran

French Foreign Ministry: The step is “unjustified and unacceptable”

France announced on Sunday that it would recall its ambassador to Paris in protest against the closure by Iranian authorities of a French language center affiliated with its embassy in Tehran, describing the move as a new attack on its cultural presence in Iran.

The French Foreign Ministry stated that the closure of the center was “unjustified and unacceptable,” affirming its intention to recall the Iranian ambassador in light of the decision.

Iranian authorities had closed the French language center in Tehran by order of the public prosecutor, according to reports by Reuters and Agence France-Presse citing Iranian judicial sources.

Iranian judiciary accused the center of engaging in “illegal activities” and operating without the required license, despite repeated warnings. It also claimed the center exploited its language-teaching activities to carry out actions deemed contrary to diplomatic agreements and harmful to Iranian culture and national security.

According to Iranian authorities, the charges against the center included efforts to identify individuals and build networks, as well as facilitating the departure of skilled Iranians from the country.

The decision comes amid heightened tensions between Paris and Tehran in recent months, marked by reciprocal diplomatic measures between the two countries.