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France-Iran relations

Protesters chant slogans as they hold a giant banner bearing the portraits of disappeared Iranian nationals, during an unauthorized demonstration by Franco-Iranian associations, near Place Vauban central Paris on June 20, 2026. (Arnaud Finistre/AFP)
June 20, 2026, 5:28 pm
France arrests 20 after banning rally against political executions in Iran
Paris protest goes ahead despite the ban, which French foreign ministry insists isn’t linked to FM’s call with his Iranian counterpart
By Agencies
France's President Emmanuel Macron (L), flanked by France's Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noel Barrot (R), speaks during a statement to the press with members of the Government and of the French Army, following a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, on November 25, 2025. (JULIEN DE ROSA / POOL / AFP)
April 15, 2026, 4:51 pm
Israel boxes Paris out of Lebanon talks, halts arms buys as French disconnect grows
Reacting to criticism of fighting against Iran and Hezbollah, Jerusalem calls France irrelevant and accuses it of harming security, though French official says claim ‘total BS’
By Nava Freiberg
This photograph shows portrait placards of Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris, two French citizens detained in Iran, set up on a fence of the French National Assembly, in Paris, France, on October 6, 2025. (Martin LELIEVRE / AFP)
April 7, 2026, 9:57 pm
French couple allowed to leave Iran after more than three years in detention
Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris, who were arrested in 2022 and charged with espionage, departed with French ambassador at dawn for Azerbaijan, says source
By AFP
People hold a banner reading "Freedom for Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris hostages in Iran since May 7, 2022," as they gather to celebrate the 41st birthday of Kohler, held in Iran since May 2022 on spying charges, in Paris, France, on September 25, 2025. (Bertrand GUAY / AFP)
November 5, 2025, 3:49 pm
French pair freed by Iran after 3 years in jail wait in Tehran for okay to go home
Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris thank Macron for efforts to release them; Tehran hopes Iranian freed from French prison after jailing on terror charges will also return home
By AFP
This photograph shows portrait placards of Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris, two French citizens detained in Iran, set up on a fence of the French National Assembly, in Paris, France, on October 6, 2025. (Martin LELIEVRE / AFP)
November 4, 2025, 10:24 pm
Iran frees French pair held for over 3 years for allegedly spying for Israel, France
France’s FM says Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris staying at residence of French ambassador until deal secured to bring them back home after 1,277-day arbitrary imprisonment
By AFP
This photograph shows portrait placards of Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris, two French citizens detained in Iran, set up on a fence of the French National Assembly, in Paris on October 6, 2025. (Photo by Martin LELIEVRE / AFP)
October 16, 2025, 8:04 pm
French couple held as prisoners in Iran ‘at the end of their tether,’ relative says
Paris decries ‘completely unfounded’ espionage charges against French citizens Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris, jailed in Iran for over three years
By Agencies
Portraits of French national Cecile Kohler (L) currently imprisoned in Iran with her partner French national Jacques Paris (C) along with a placard reading "Freedom for Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris arbitrarily detained in Iran for over two years in appalling conditions" outside the Palais Bourbon, France's National Assembly, in Paris, on March 25, 2025. (Bertrand GUAY / AFP)
October 15, 2025, 5:59 am
Iran court sentences 2 French citizens to long jail terms for spying for Israel, France
Paris has accused Tehran of arbitrarily detaining Cecile Kohler and her partner Jacques Paris since 2022; talks aimed at freeing them had recently been said to progress
By Reuters
Lennart Monterlos, 18, speaks in a video he uploaded to Instagram from Iran, later shared by users on X. (Screen capture via X, used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
October 8, 2025, 7:05 pm
Iran releases French-German cyclist after dismissing espionage charges
Lennart Monterlos, 19, was arrested in June while trying to cross into Afghanistan, in what France described as an ‘arbitrary’ detention
By AFP
Protesters rally for the release of French teacher Cecile Kohler and her partner Jacques Paris from Iranian prison, at Place de la Republique in Paris, France, on March 23, 2024. (Kiran RIDLEY / AFP)
September 12, 2025, 1:20 pm
France demands release of 3 citizens held in Iran after Tehran floats prisoner swap
French foreign minister repeats call for ‘unconditional and immediate release’ of French teacher and her partner held since 2022 and 18-year-old cyclist detained in July
By Reuters and ToI Staff
A billboard bearing a painting of a missile falling on Israel with a Farsi slogan reading 'The missile has fallen amidst the demons,' July 16, 2025. (Atta Kenare / AFP)
July 25, 2025, 9:50 am
Iran meets European powers for new nuclear talks amid snapback sanctions threat
German, British and French diplomats in Istanbul to meet Iranian counterparts for first time since war with Israel, as powers weigh reimposing UN sanctions
By AFP
Lennart Monterlos, then 18, speaks in a video he uploaded to Instagram from Iran, later shared by users on X. (Screen capture via X, used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
July 17, 2025, 2:48 pm
Family of French teen detained in Iran says he’s innocent, demands proof of life
Relatives of Lennart Monterlos, 19, who was arrested several days into Israel-Iran war, say they have not received any explanation for his detention
By AFP
This screen grab taken from an Instagram post from June 24, 2025, shows Lennart Monterlos in a photo taken at an unknown location. (Instagram screenshot/AFP)
July 11, 2025, 8:37 am
Iran confirms it arrested 16-year-old French-German biker last month
Iranian foreign minister says Lennart Monterlos is held for ‘committing an offense’ while biking through Iran; France accuses Tehran of detaining foreigners as bargaining chips
By AFP
Lennart Monterlos, then 18, speaks in a video he uploaded to Instagram from Iran, later shared by users on X. (Screen capture via X, used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
July 6, 2025, 11:26 pm
French teenager disappears on bike trip in Iran, sparking fears he’s been detained
Lennart Monterlos, 18, has been missing since June 16; Iran is already holding 2 French nationals it has accused of spying for Israel, whom France calls hostages and demands back
By AFP and ToI Staff
Portraits of French national Cecile Kohler (L) currently imprisoned in Iran with her partner French national Jacques Paris (C) along with a placard reading "Freedom for Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris arbitrarily detained in Iran for over two years in appalling conditions" outside the Palais Bourbon, France's National Assembly, in Paris, on March 25, 2025. (Bertrand GUAY / AFP)
July 3, 2025, 4:24 pm
France says decision on Iran sanctions hinges on release of imprisoned two nationals
French FM says freeing detainees Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris a priority; family says pair have been charged with spying on behalf of Mossad
By AFP
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks to the media during the signing ceremony for his book 'The Power of Negotiation' at the Muscat International Book fair in Oman, April 25, 2025. (Haitham AL-SHUKAIRI / AFP)
June 1, 2025, 2:05 pm
Iran warns of retaliation if Europeans make ‘political’ use of UN nuclear reports
FM threatens response to ‘any inappropriate action’ by UK, France, Germany as trio mulls steps after reports show secret nuclear activity and increased uranium enrichment
By Agencies and ToI Staff
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