Crocodile tears: Iran hits back at Paris as French language centre sealed in Tehran

Iran has shut a French language centre in Tehran, accusing it of security-related activities, escalating tensions with Paris. It came days after Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchchi criticised France over its remarks on Mahsa Amini's death. France condemned the centre's closure and said it would summon Iran's ambassador.

In Short

• Iran seals French language centre in Tehran following a judicial order
• Authorities claim institute built networks and enabled skilled Iranians' departure
• Iran Foreign Minister Aragchchi accuses France of hypocrisy in its criticism

Iran has sealed a French language centre affiliated with the French embassy in Tehran, citing security and licensing concerns, days after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused France of shedding “crocodile tears” over the death of 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman, Mahsa Amini. The death of Amini had triggered massive protests across Iran in 2022.

The closure of the French language centre has added to growing tensions between Tehran and Paris, with France saying it will summon Iran's ambassador and take appropriate measures in response.

Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Sunday that the French language centre was closed following a judicial order from the Tehran prosecutor's office.

IRAN ACCUSES CENTRE OF SECURITY ACTIVITIES

Iranian authorities said the centre had operated for years under the cover of foreign-language teaching despite repeated warnings to obtain a license.

They accused the centre of engaging in activities against Iranian culture and national security, including identifying and building networks and facilitating the departure of skilled Iranians from the country.

France has previously rejected such allegations, saying there had been a pattern of intimidation in recent months as Paris sought to increase its support for and contacts with Iranian civil society following a crackdown on protests earlier this year.

France's Foreign Ministry described the closure as a fresh attack on its cultural presence in Iran.

"This new attack against France’s cultural presence in Iran, following the assault on two staff members of the French embassy last July, is unjustifiable and unacceptable," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pascal Confavreux said.

‘CROCODILE TEARS’: IRAN HITS BACK AT FRANCE

The latest diplomatic confrontation follows a social media post by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot marking the fourth anniversary of the death of Mahsa Amini.

Amini's death in Iranian custody in September 2022 triggered nationwide protests across Iran and became a major point of criticism of Tehran's treatment of dissent and women's rights.

Araghchi responded to Barrot's post on Saturday, dismissing the French minister's remarks as “crocodile tears”.

The Iranian foreign minister also accused France of slaughtering 1.5 million Algerians during Algeria's war of independence.

“Your silence when the US massacred our schoolkids said it all,” Araghchi said, referring to a strike in Iran that Tehran believes the US was responsible for.

The exchange has further sharpened the rhetoric between Tehran and Paris, with the two sides also at odds over Iran's nuclear programme, the detention of French nationals and the treatment of diplomats.

FRANCE-IRAN RELATIONS ALREADY STRAINED

Relations between France and Iran had shown some improvement after the release of several French nationals detained in Iran and Paris distanced itself from the US war against Iran.

However, tensions worsened over the summer after two French diplomats were arrested and subsequently expelled. France reciprocated by expelling Iranian diplomats.

Iranian officials have also been angered by France's public criticism of Tehran and its engagement with Iranian civil society.

The two foreign ministers are due to meet on Tuesday on the sidelines of the annual gathering of world leaders at the United Nations.

- Ends