Iran’s Intelligence Ministry demands answers from France over diplomats’ ‘illegal’ activities

Iran’s Intelligence Ministry has warned France against interfering in the country’s internal affairs, saying Paris must answer for the illegal activities of its diplomats.

In a statement on Saturday, the ministry said its forces had discovered the presence of two French diplomats at a secret meeting place while carrying out a judicial order to arrest two suspects in a major case involving foreign infiltration and interference.

In July 2026, two French diplomats were briefly detained in Tehran after they were found at a meeting linked to a security investigation.

France accused Iranian security forces of mistreating the diplomats, while Tehran rejected the allegations and said they had been questioned over “unconventional” conduct.

The ministry said the two diplomats had “extensive records of violations and conduct contrary to domestic laws and diplomatic obligations.”

After their identities were verified, the matter was reported to the Foreign Ministry, and the diplomats were handed over to Iran’s ambassador to France in the presence of diplomatic police, it said.

The ministry further said France subsequently launched a media campaign aimed at deflecting attention from the violations, saying an initial examination of documents found at the site revealed a project involving foreign infiltration and interference.

“Initial investigations indicate the planning and design of an extensive project with objectives such as infiltration, foreign interference and paving the way for France to take action against the country’s independence, through identifying, establishing covert contacts inside and outside the country, and creating networks, along with principles of secrecy, with some individuals of interest to foreigners,” the statement said.

Iran FM protests ‘unacceptable’ conduct of French diplomats in Tehran

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has protested the "unconventional" conduct of the two French diplomats in Tehran during a phone conversation with his French counterpart.

The ministry also said that contracts uncovered as part of the project bore the signature of a former French ambassador to Iran, and said the French government must explain its actions.

“Given the clear infiltration and interference in Iran’s internal affairs, especially during wartime, the flagrant violation of the country’s laws and departure from diplomatic frameworks, which have been conclusively established in this project, the Ministry of Intelligence warns that it will not allow its diplomatic guests to engage in illegal and interventionist behavior,” it said.

It added that any repetition would result in “appropriate action against the perpetrators.”

The ministry also hinted at France’s 2024 legislation aimed at preventing foreign interference, saying Paris was therefore familiar with the principles governing a ban on foreign intervention.

The statement urged the French government to focus on domestic problems and social needs rather than interfering in independent countries.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.ir