France prepares response after Iran expels two diplomats

Diplomatic tensions between France and Iran have escalated following Tehran's decision to declare two French diplomats persona non grata and bar them from re-entering the country. The move comes after the diplomats were detained and interrogated during an intelligence operation.

The two nations have provided conflicting accounts of the incident. The Iranian government alleges the officials engaged in activities that violated international law and the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, potentially involving investigations into terrorist activities. Conversely, the French government maintains the individuals were conducting work related to Iranian culture and civil society.

In response to the expulsion, France has signaled it is preparing reciprocal measures. Meanwhile, Ebrahim Azizi, chairman of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, warned that continued anti-Iranian actions from Paris would further complicate bilateral ties, citing historical grievances such as the INSTEX mechanism and nuclear deal disputes.