France will summon Iran’s ambassador and take “appropriate measures” after Iranian authorities closed a French-language centre linked to its embassy in Tehran, according to the French Foreign Ministry. “This new attack against France’s cultural presence in Iran, following the assault on two staff members of the French embassy last July, is unjustifiable and unacceptable,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pascal Confavreux said in a statement on Sunday.

Closure of the French Language Centre

Iran announced on Sunday the closure of the centre it accused of conducting “illegal acts that violated diplomatic conventions.” “Based on the Tehran prosecutor’s office, the illegal centre affiliated with the French embassy in Tehran, which has operated for years under the guise of language instruction, was closed,” the Iranian judiciary’s Mizan news website said, referring to the French Language Centre (CLF).

It said the centre “abused its status as a language training facility” and sought to “identify and build networks among the country’s elite figures while facilitating their departure.” The French Foreign Ministry said it would “take appropriate measures to respond” and would summon Iran’s ambassador in Paris at the request of French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot.

Tensions Between France and Iran

Relations between Tehran and Paris have been strained in recent months. In August, Iran’s Intelligence Ministry said it detained two French diplomats over alleged foreign interference during a national security investigation before handing them over to the French ambassador. This new development adds to the diplomatic friction that has been growing over the past several months.

Iran’s recent actions have been described by the French Foreign Ministry as “unjustifiable and unacceptable.” Confavreux emphasized the importance of maintaining cultural and diplomatic ties, which have been impacted by a series of incidents, including the assault on two embassy staff members last July. This incident was previously cited as a reason for heightened tensions between the two countries.

Broader Diplomatic Context

Iran’s decision to close the French Language Centre reflects a broader pattern of diplomatic actions that have been scrutinized by multiple countries. The closure has been framed as an “enforcement action” by Iranian authorities, according to the Mizan news website. This action is seen as a significant escalation in the ongoing diplomatic tensions and highlights the sensitivity surrounding foreign cultural institutions in Iran.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot will request the summoning of Iran’s ambassador in Paris to address the closure and seek clarification from Iranian officials. The French government is expected to emphasize the need for transparency and adherence to international diplomatic norms during these discussions. The outcome of these diplomatic exchanges will be closely watched by both governments and international observers.

France and Iran have exchanged a series of diplomatic actions in recent months, reflecting the complex and often tense nature of their bilateral relations. The French Foreign Ministry’s statement shows the gravity of the situation and the commitment to defending France’s interests in Iran. The closure of the French Language Centre is the latest in a series of incidents that have tested the diplomatic relationship between the two nations.