France claims Iran breached international treaty with prisoner detentions

 

France charged Iran with violating a convention outlining consular ties between nations and claimed Tehran had shown publicly that foreign nationals were being held unjustly.

Notably, France and Iran's relationship has worsened recently as Tehran holds seven French dual citizens in what Paris claims is an act of state hostage-taking.

Fariba Adelkhah, an Iranian-French professor, was one of those who was released; however, it is still unknown how long she will have to remain in Iran before being permitted to travel to France.

On Monday, Nasser Kanani, a spokesperson for Iran's foreign ministry, told reporters that the French government had meddled in Iranian affairs and took "destructive" attitudes.

Clearly, these stances and the actions done by France will not helpful in discussions for the prisoners, according to Mr. Kanani.

Speaking on behalf of the French Foreign Ministry, Anne-Claire Legendre referred to Mr. Kanani's comments as deeply troubling and publicly highlighting the "arbitrary character" of the arrest of French nationals.

She demanded the immediate release of the French nationals, saying, “This is an admission from the Iranian authorities that they are in violation of the Vienna convention on consular relations, which constitutes the foundation of diplomatic relations between states.”

Many dual citizens and foreigners have been detained by Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards in recent years, most often on espionage and security-related allegations.

Rights organisations have charged Iran with using these arrests to pressure other nations into making concessions.

Iran, which does not recognise dual citizenship, denies using captured people as negotiating chips.