Tehran, Aug 2026 : Iran’s Intelligence Ministry has warned France against what it described as “illegal interference” in the country’s internal affairs, accusing two French diplomats of participating in a secret meeting involving suspects in a major foreign infiltration case.
In a statement issued on its website on Saturday, the ministry alleged that the two French diplomats attended a clandestine meeting in Tehran in July with individuals suspected of involvement in a case concerning foreign interference and infiltration.
Following an investigation, Iranian authorities claimed the diplomats had accumulated “extensive records of violations” and had engaged in conduct that allegedly contravened Iranian domestic laws as well as their diplomatic responsibilities.
The Intelligence Ministry stressed that Iran would not permit foreign diplomats stationed in the country to participate in what it termed “illegal interventionist” activities. It warned that any repetition of such conduct would result in what it described as appropriate or “fitting” measures.
The latest warning adds to tensions between Tehran and Paris following an incident involving two French embassy officials in July.
On July 20, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said the two officials had been detained in Tehran and allegedly mistreated by Iranian authorities. According to Barrot, the diplomats were held for several hours without explanation and subjected to questioning, while one of them was physically assaulted.
Barrot said both officials were eventually able to return to the French Embassy and were safe. He added that they were expected to leave Iran and return to France shortly.
The French minister described the incident as particularly alarming because the two officials were responsible for overseeing French programmes supporting Iranian civil society, including initiatives involving artists and scientists.
Barrot called the alleged treatment of the diplomats “shocking” and said he had warned Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi that the incident was “serious and unacceptable” and could not pass without consequences.
Iran subsequently rejected the French interpretation of the incident. During a telephone conversation with Barrot, Araghchi reportedly protested against what he described as the diplomats’ “unconventional” conduct.
The Iranian foreign minister said their actions were inconsistent with diplomatic norms and were unacceptable, according to Iranian authorities.
The exchange highlights continuing friction between Tehran and Paris over diplomatic activities and Iran’s concerns about foreign involvement in its domestic affairs. The latest warning from the Intelligence Ministry indicates that Iranian authorities intend to take a strict position against foreign diplomats accused of crossing what Tehran considers legal and diplomatic boundaries.
(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)
