Iran Arrests French Diplomats at "Secret Meeting" Over Influence Scheme

Iran's Intelligence Ministry announced Saturday the arrest of two French diplomats at a "secret meeting site" as part of a national security investigation. The ministry stated that documents and materials found at the location suggest a "broad plan aimed at building influence in Iran." In a statement, the ministry reported that its intelligence units, while executing a judicial order to detain two suspects in an inquiry into alleged foreign influence, discovered the French diplomats at the scene. The statement detailed that after verifying the diplomats' identities, the Iranian Foreign Ministry was informed. The diplomats were then handed over to the French Ambassador in Tehran, accompanied by diplomatic police. The ministry affirmed that initial examinations of the documents and materials seized indicate a "large-scale project targeting influence-building, foreign interference, and enabling activities against the country's independence." It also noted the discovery of the former French Ambassador to Tehran's signature among some confiscated documents. Iran's Intelligence Ministry emphasized it "will not allow any person with diplomatic status to engage in illegal or interventionist activities," warning of decisive measures if such incidents recur. The ministry called on the French government to take responsibility for its diplomats' interference, stating the investigation is ongoing and further details will be announced later. Paris has not yet issued an immediate comment regarding these allegations.