Paris, 21 July (H.S.): France has accused Iranian security authorities of detaining two French diplomats and physically abusing one of them in what it described as a serious violation of diplomatic norms.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said in a statement that the two diplomats were targeted by Iranian officials late Sunday in an incident that amounted to a flagrant violation of diplomatic immunity. He said the diplomats were held for several hours without explanation, questioned by authorities, and one of them was subjected to physical abuse before they were allowed to return to the French Embassy.

Barrot confirmed that both officials were safe and were expected to return to France shortly. He described the incident as extremely serious and said it was particularly concerning because the two diplomats were responsible for overseeing French programmes supporting Iranian civil society, including initiatives involving artists and scientists.

The French Foreign Minister, who was visiting Iceland, said he had conveyed his strong protest to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, making it clear that the incident was serious and unacceptable and could not go without consequences.

The development comes amid growing tensions between Iran and Western nations. France has repeatedly stated that European sanctions against Tehran would not be eased unless Iran halts its nuclear activities and addresses what Paris describes as destabilising actions in the region.

Meanwhile, Iran has claimed that it is engaged in a full-scale war with the United States, following renewed military tensions and expanded US strikes against Iranian targets after the collapse of a fragile ceasefire.

The alleged detention of French diplomats has further strained relations between Tehran and Paris at a time when diplomatic tensions over Iran's nuclear programme, regional activities, and security issues remain high.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar