France advises against travel to Iran until the release of its nationals “hostages” of the regime

Three French people have been detained in the country since 2022, without Paris managing to free them.

The French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, on Tuesday January 7 called on French nationals not to travel to Iran until “complete liberation” French prisoners in this country. “The situation of our compatriots hostages in Iran is simply unacceptable; they have been detained unjustly for several years, in undignified conditions”declared the minister during the conference of ambassadors, ensuring that Paris did not forget them “just one second”.

“Since the election of President Pezeshkian and despite our efforts to engage at the highest level, their situation has deteriorated”continued Mr. Barrot. “I say it to the Iranian authorities: our hostages must be released. Our bilateral relations and the future of sanctions depend on it. And until the complete release of our hostages, I ask our compatriots not to go to Iran”he said.

A French couple, Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, have been detained in Iran since May 2022 and accused by the authorities of“espionage”which their relatives deny. A third Frenchman, named Olivier, but whose last name has not been made public, has also been detained in Iran since 2022. Paris describes these prisoners as“state hostages”.