France vows response after Iran closes language centre in Tehran
UNITED NATIONS, Sept 20 (Reuters) - France will summon Iran's ambassador and take appropriate measures in response after Iranian authorities sealed a French language centre affiliated with its embassy in Tehran, the Foreign Ministry said on Sunday.
France announced it will summon Iran's ambassador and take appropriate action following Iran's closure of a French language centre in Tehran, according to the country's Foreign Ministry. This latest attack on France's cultural presence in Iran follows a previous incident involving the assault on two French embassy staff members last July.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pascal Confavreux called the latest action "unjustifiable and unacceptable." Relations between the two nations have been tense for years due to Iran's nuclear program and the detention of several French nationals, with the situation deteriorating after the arrest and subsequent expulsion of two French diplomats.
Iran has accused France of activities against Iranian culture and national security, including identifying and building networks, and facilitating the departure of skilled Iranians. France has dismissed these allegations, attributing them to a pattern of intimidation as Paris seeks to bolster support for and connections with Iran's civil society following a recent crackdown on protests.
Iran has also been angered by a recent social media post from France's foreign minister, Jean-Noel Barrot, marking the fourth anniversary of the death of Mahsa Amini, which triggered nationwide protests. In response, Iran's foreign minister called the post "crocodile tears" and accused Paris of "slaughtering 1.5 million Algerians" during the country's war of independence.
The two ministers are scheduled to meet on Tuesday during the UN's annual gathering of world leaders.
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