Tehran, August 16, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Iran has warned France against what it described as “illegal interference” in its internal affairs, following a dispute over the activities of two French diplomats in Tehran.
Iran’s Intelligence Ministry said the two diplomats had participated in a secret meeting in Tehran in July with individuals suspected of involvement in a “major case involving foreign infiltration and interference”.
In a statement posted on its website, the ministry said an investigation found that the diplomats had a record of alleged violations and conduct that it claimed was contrary to Iranian law and their diplomatic obligations.
The ministry said Iran would not permit foreign diplomats stationed in the country to engage in “illegal interventionist” activities and warned that any recurrence would invite an appropriate response.
The warning follows remarks by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on July 20, when he said two French embassy officials had been detained and mistreated in Tehran.
According to Barrot, the officials were held for several hours without explanation, questioned and, in one case, physically assaulted before being allowed to return to the French embassy. He said both were safe and were expected to return to France within hours.
Barrot described the incident as particularly serious because the two officials were responsible for French programmes supporting Iranian civil society, including artists and scientists.
Calling the incident “shocking”, Barrot said he had warned Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi that the “serious and unacceptable” episode could not go without consequences.
Araghchi subsequently raised an objection during a telephone conversation with Barrot, saying the French diplomats had engaged in “unconventional” conduct that violated diplomatic norms and was unacceptable to Tehran.
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