France asks its citizens to leave Iran

In a travel advisory update published on its website, France’s foreign ministry on Friday urged its citizens who “visit Iran to leave the country as soon as possible, given the risks of arbitrary arrest they expose themselves to.” warned that “the ability of the French Embassy in Tehran to provide consular protection to citizens arrested or detained in Iran is very limited.” The update comes after Iranian state television aired what it called “confessions” from two French nationals arrested last May on espionage charges. On Thursday, France’s foreign ministry said: “Iran’s broadcast of these confessions is inappropriate, disgusting, unacceptable and in violation of international law.” calling for the “immediate release” of Mr. French Cecil Kohler and Jack Barry. The ministry explained that the two Frenchmen, whom it described as education trade unionists, “have been arbitrarily detained in Iran since May 2022 and are considered state hostages,” adding, “their alleged confessions were obtained under duress.” just as unfounded as the reasons that necessitated their arbitrary arrest.” Two other French citizens besides Kohler and Paris are being held in Iran, a country accused by NGOs of engaging in hostage diplomacy on the international stage. The French Foreign Ministry warned on its website that “the ability of the French Embassy in Tehran to provide consular protection to citizens arrested or detained in Iran is severely limited.” advice on the situation in that country, since Mahsa Amini passed away on 16 September.