Iran condemns French expulsion of diplomats as unlawful
Iran's foreign ministry on Monday called France's expulsion of two Iranian diplomats 'illegal', saying it was a response to Iran's own action. France had decided to expel the diplomats after Tehran refused to allow two French diplomats back into the country. Iran's spokesman said the move would not help bilateral relations.
The diplomatic dispute stems from the July detention of two French diplomats in Tehran, which France's foreign minister characterized as a flagrant breach of diplomatic immunity. Iran has maintained its actions were lawful, arguing the French officials interfered in internal affairs and violated the Vienna Convention.
Iran's foreign ministry spokesman framed the expulsion as disproportionate, insisting Tehran's original decision was legally grounded while France's retaliatory measure was not. The exchange marks another low point in already strained Franco-Iranian relations, following France's earlier announcement that two Iranian diplomats would be expelled in the coming days.
This diplomatic tit-for-tat could further erode trust between European nations and Iran, potentially complicating consular services and travel for ordinary citizens. Businesses operating across both countries may face increased uncertainty, while the dispute risks reinforcing broader patterns of diplomatic isolation. The exchange may also signal hardening positions that could affect future negotiations on regional security matters, though the immediate impact appears limited to bilateral channels.