Iran rejects France's 'baseless' claims over closure of illegal embassy institute

Tehran - BORNA -  "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran strongly rejects the baseless and untrue claims regarding the educational institute affiliated with the country's embassy in Tehran, as stated in the French Foreign Ministry's statement dated September 20, 2026," the statement read.

It added that the action taken by law enforcement forces to halt the illegal activities of the center was carried out based on a judicial order. The closure followed the French embassy's "continuous and long-term disregard" for repeated warnings from competent Iranian authorities over the past few years regarding the necessity of legally registering and obtaining a license for the center's operations.

"The provisions of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations regarding the privileges and immunities of embassies are clear, and the French embassy must obtain the necessary legal permits to establish and operate centers and institutes with cultural and educational functions in accordance with the laws and regulations of the host country," the ministry noted.

The statement further emphasized: "The insistence of the French embassy in Tehran on disregarding the provisions of the Convention on Diplomatic Relations and expecting to be exempted from the laws and regulations of the Islamic Republic of Iran is completely unacceptable."

In conclusion, the Iranian Foreign Ministry reiterated the necessity for the French embassy to refrain from any actions that are illegal or outside diplomatic norms, urging full respect for the provisions of the Vienna Convention and compliance with relevant domestic laws.

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