The tone is rising between Paris and Tehran

French President Emmanuel Macron holds a press conference after the G20 summit in Nusa Dua on the Indonesian resort island of Bali, November 16, 2022. AFP - LUDOVIC MARIN

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2 mins

The tone rose on Wednesday November 18 between Paris and Tehran.

Iran started the day by claiming to have arrested several agents of the French intelligence services.

In a statement, French diplomacy rejected 

Iran's "

false statements  ".

And at the end of the G20 summit in Indonesia, Emmanuel Macron said he saw a " 

growing aggressiveness 

" from Iran. 

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Since the beginning of the demonstrations two months ago, the Iranian authorities have repeated the same speech: the events which cross the country are directed by foreign powers and aim to destabilize Iran.

In the same vein, Iranian Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi announced the arrest of several agents of the French intelligence services during demonstrations.

“

 People of other nationalities were arrested during the riots, some of whom played important roles.

There are elements of the French intelligence services which will be treated in accordance with the law 

,” Ahmad Vahidi told Iranian public television.

French diplomacy was quick to reject in a press release what it denounces as false statements.

The text takes up the information given a few days ago by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna: “ 

Paris is aware of a total of seven French nationals arbitrarily detained in Iran 

”. 

►

See also Seven French nationals are currently detained in Iran, says Catherine Colonna

Macron calls on Iran to be "calm"

During the closing press conference of the G20, the French president denounced " 

Iran's growing aggressiveness

 " towards France through " 

unacceptable hostage-taking

 ".

Emmanuel Macron called for a return to calm and a spirit of cooperation.

I see a definite change in the situation on the ground.

And I see first a growing aggressiveness of Iran.

Aggressiveness towards us by inadmissible hostage-taking.

A regional aggressiveness by very aggressive acts that have been done and the bombardments in recent days on Iraqi soil.

That's a fact.

And I truly call on Iran to return to calm and the spirit of cooperation.

France has always respected the leaders, also the Iranian people.

We have always been in an approach of discussion, of respect.

I think that the choices that have been made in recent months do not go in this direction on the side of Iran.

And so I call for a return to calm, respect for regional stability, also respect for French nationals.

Emmanuel Macron: "I see first of all a growing aggressiveness from Iran..."

RFI

In parallel with the Iranian demonstrations which occupy the news remains the outstanding question of the Iranian nuclear power.

The director of the International Atomic Energy Agency also affirmed that he still hoped to be able to maintain the planned visit to Iran by the end of the month, which is essential to consider unblocking the file.

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  • Iran

  • France

  • Emmanuel Macron

  • Diplomacy