France Plans to Expel Iranian Diplomats

France said it will expel two Iranian diplomats in the coming days in retaliation for an incident in Tehran last month in which two French embassy staff were detained and harassed, with Paris accusing Tehran of fabricating interference to justify its actions. Iranian authorities responded by declaring two French diplomats persona non grata and barring them from entering Iran, saying the staff violations of the Vienna Convention and broader alleged illegal activities warranted the move. Iran’s Foreign Ministry and Intelligence Ministry described the French actions as part of a broader plan to build influence inside Iran and cited documents found at a meeting site as evidence, including references linked to a former French ambassador. Paris maintains that the Iranian accusations against its diplomats are false and designed to justify reprisals, while stating the expulsions are a direct consequence of Iran’s measures. The diplomatic row has prompted reciprocal expulsions and bans, underscoring escalating tensions between France and Iran over the handling of the July incident in Tehran. The developments come amid wider European scrutiny of Iran’s diplomatic conduct and its treatment of foreign representatives.