France to expel two Iranian diplomats in coming days

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced Tuesday that France will expel two Iranian diplomats in the coming days, declaring them persona non grata in response to what he characterized as an intolerable action against French diplomatic personnel.

Barrot stated on social media that the two Iranian diplomats would be expelled as a consequence of the targeting of two French diplomats at the French Embassy in Tehran on July 19. He said France had previously indicated that the detention of the French embassy staff would have consequences.

"Two diplomats were deliberately and scandalously attacked on July 19," Barrot said, adding that France maintains its support for the Iranian people, including artists, scientists, and researchers.

Iran's Foreign Ministry responded by declaring two French diplomats at the French Embassy in Tehran as undesirable elements and announcing they would be barred from entering Iran.

Ebrahim Azizi, head of the National Security Commission and Foreign Policy of Iran's Parliament, issued a warning to France on Wednesday. In a post on social media, Azizi stated: "The Iranian nation never forgets France's persistent betrayals in matters such as contaminated blood, INSTEX, and the snapback mechanism. The continuation of this trend and anti-Iranian actions will only make conditions harder for it."

Iran's Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi had previously criticized France's involvement in Iranian affairs, calling on countries like France to cease lecturing the world about human rights and international law.