France to summon Iran's ambassador after closure of French language centre in Tehran

Diplomatic action announced by France

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot has instructed the foreign ministry to summon Iran’s ambassador in Paris following the Iranian authorities’ decision to close a French-language centre linked to the French embassy in Tehran. The French foreign ministry said it would take “appropriate measures” in response to what it described as an unjustifiable attack on France’s cultural presence in Iran.

Iran’s justification for the closure

According to a report on the Iranian judiciary’s Mizan news website, the centre, identified as the French Language Centre (CLF), was shut because it allegedly conducted illegal acts that violated diplomatic conventions. The Iranian statement claimed the centre abused its status as a language-training facility to identify and build networks among Iran’s elite and to facilitate their departure from the country.

Recent tensions between the two capitals

The closure comes after earlier incidents that have strained relations, including the assault on two French embassy staff members in July and the detention of two French diplomats by Iran’s Intelligence Ministry in August on accusations of foreign interference. Both sides have exchanged statements, but independent verification of the alleged illegal activities at the language centre remains unavailable.