TEHRAN: Iran has summoned the French ambassador over the detention of two French diplomats by Iranian security forces earlier this month, amid growing tensions between Tehran and Paris.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei told reporters that Tehran had stressed that the French government must stop what it described as actions and interference in Iran’s internal affairs “under misleading labels.”
Baghaei said the activities of the two French diplomats were carried out “under the pretext of engaging with civil society”.
The diplomats were detained and interrogated for several hours on July 19 before being allowed to return to the French embassy. One of the diplomats said he was physically abused during the incident.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot condemned the detention, describing it as “an extremely serious act of intimidation”.