Iran Shuts French Language Centre in Tehran
Iran has shut a French language centre linked to the French embassy in Tehran, accusing it of operating without the required licence and conducting activities that threatened national security. France has condemned the closure and said Iran’s ambassador will be summoned over the move.
Iran Closes French Language Centre in Tehran
Iranian authorities sealed the Centre de Langue Française following an order from the Tehran prosecutor’s office.
Authorities alleged that the centre had continued operating under the cover of foreign-language teaching despite repeated warnings to obtain the necessary licence. Iranian officials also accused the facility of activities contrary to national culture and security, including identifying individuals, building networks and facilitating the departure of skilled Iranians.
France has rejected the allegations and described the closure as unacceptable.
Mahsa Amini Remarks Deepen France-Iran Tensions
The closure comes amid a worsening diplomatic dispute following comments by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot marking the fourth anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death.
Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman, died in custody in September 2022, triggering nationwide protests.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused France of shedding “crocodile tears” over Amini while remaining silent about civilian deaths Iran attributes to US military action. He also invoked France’s colonial history in Algeria while criticising Paris.
France Summons Iranian Ambassador
France said the closure represented another attack on its cultural presence in Iran and announced that the Iranian ambassador would be summoned.
Relations between Paris and Tehran have remained strained over Iran’s nuclear programme, detained French nationals, diplomatic expulsions and France’s engagement with Iranian civil society.
Despite the latest dispute, the two countries’ foreign ministers are expected to meet on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
