TEHRAN, Iran: Iran accused two French diplomats of covert activity after security forces encountered them during a July national security operation in Tehran, according to an Intelligence Ministry statement.
The ministry said officers found the diplomats at what it called a secret meeting while executing judicial orders against two people. Authorities later transferred the diplomats to French representatives.
Iran claimed documents seized at the location showed efforts to identify people and establish secret contacts. The ministry alleged the material pointed to a wider French network inside and outside Iran.
Tehran also said some documents carried the signature of a former French ambassador to Iran. It called on Paris to explain the alleged activities and warned against similar conduct.
France has disputed Iran’s account. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said authorities held the diplomats for nearly four hours and prevented them from contacting their embassy.
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Barrot also accused Iranian personnel of physically assaulting one diplomat. He described the incident as a serious breach of diplomatic immunity. Iran denied that authorities beat the diplomats.
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France said the diplomats worked on programs supporting Iranian civil society, including artists and scientists. Both diplomats later returned to France.
