France is expelling two Iranian diplomats, declaring them persona non grata, in direct retaliation for Tehran's decision to ban two French envoys from returning to the country, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced.
The Iranian diplomats have been ordered to leave France in the coming days. The move follows Tehran's formal announcement on August 17 barring the two French diplomats after they were detained and allegedly assaulted in July. Iran's intelligence ministry accused France of conducting a broad influence operation aimed at undermining Iranian independence.
The expulsion comes after two Iranian graphic designers, Aria Kasaei and Elly Naghilou, were arrested on July 19 following a meeting with French diplomats. Tehran has denied allegations that its security forces mistreated the French envoys during their detention.