France has announced plans to take measures against Iran after Iranian authorities shut down a French language and cultural centre linked to the French embassy in Tehran.
The French Foreign Ministry said on Sunday that it would summon Iran’s ambassador and take an appropriate response to what it described as an unacceptable attack on France’s cultural presence in Iran.
French Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pascal Confavreux said the closure followed an earlier incident in July involving two staff members of the French embassy.
Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that the centre was closed following a judicial order issued by the Tehran prosecutor’s office.
Iranian authorities accused the centre of operating without the required licence and alleged that it was involved in activities considered harmful to Iranian culture and national security. They also accused it of helping to establish networks and facilitating the departure of skilled Iranians from the country.
France has previously rejected such allegations, saying Iranian authorities had engaged in a pattern of intimidation as Paris increased its support for and contacts with Iranian civil society following protests earlier this year.
Relations between France and Iran have been strained for years, particularly over Iran’s nuclear programme and the detention of French nationals.
Tensions increased further after two French diplomats were arrested and later expelled from Iran during the summer. France subsequently expelled two Iranian diplomats in response.
The dispute was also intensified by comments from French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot marking the fourth anniversary of the death of Mahsa Amini, whose death sparked protests across Iran.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi criticised the French minister’s remarks, accusing France of hypocrisy and referring to France’s colonial history in Algeria.
The two foreign ministers are expected to meet on Tuesday on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
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