Araghchi hails ‘firm stance’ of Iranian academic freed from French detention
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has held a telephone conversation with Mahdieh Esfandiari, an Iranian national recently released from detention in France, commending her steadfastness.
The call comes a day after a French judge ordered Esfandiari's release from prison under a supervised release order.
Araghchi commended Esfandiari for her steadfastness, saying "We thank God that you stood very firmly on your positions and spoke very strongly.”
The top diplomat expressed optimism that the remaining procedural steps would be concluded soon, adding, "God willing, we will visit you in Iran soon."
Esfandiari, a 39-year-old Iranian translator and university lecturer who had lived in France for nearly eight years, mysteriously disappeared on March 1, 2025, prompting her family to alert Iranian authorities.
Subsequent consular follow-ups revealed that the French police had arrested her.
Esfandiari’s detention was under the pretext of her activity on a pro-Palestine Telegram channel.
She was held for over 50 days without access to phones, kept in solitary confinement, and not allowed contact with family or friends until mid-April.
Reports from her family detail psychological torment during her detention, including being stripped of her hijab and facing harsh treatment by male officers.
Her arrest drew sharp condemnation from the Islamic Republic. Tehran said it was politically motivated and a violation of free expression.
On Tuesday, Deputy Foreign Minister Vahid Jalalzadeh said Esfandiari’s name had been put forward in a prisoner exchange arrangement with France.
Spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said on Wednesday that Esfandiari would be transferred from prison to a residence outside the detention facility and would remain under supervision until her trial is held.
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