France to Expel Two Iranian Diplomats in Tit-for-Tat Response

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot confirmed that Paris will expel two Iranian diplomats in the coming days, escalating diplomatic tensions between France and Iran.

In a post on the platform X, Barrot stated: “Two Iranian diplomats in France will be expelled in the coming days.” He clarified that the measure responds directly to an incident involving two French diplomats in Tehran last month.

Response to Assault on French Diplomats

According to Barrot, the two French diplomats were subjected to what he described as a “deliberate assault” on 19 July in the Iranian capital. He said at the time that the incident would have consequences.

The French minister added that Iran’s subsequent designation of the two French diplomats as “personae non gratae” triggered France’s reciprocal action. That Iranian decision formally bars the diplomats from re-entering the country.

Timeline of the Incident and Aftermath

As reported by the French newspaper La Montagne, the two French diplomats — both stationed at the French embassy in Tehran — were assaulted and held in isolation from the outside world for several hours in Tehran during July.

They left Iran and returned to France on 23 July. On 17 August, they were informed that Iranian authorities had officially classified them as “personae non gratae.”

Barrot declared France’s decision to apply the principle of reciprocity immediately after that notification. He confirmed that two Iranian diplomats will depart France shortly, without disclosing their identities or official positions.