The effectiveness of Italian diplomacy, illustrated by the rapid release of hostage Cécilia Sala, raises questions about French strategy. While the journalist was released after only 20 days of detention in Iran, three French nationals have remained imprisoned for more than two years in conditions amounting to “torture”, according to Paris. France is toughening its tone against Tehran and is now discussing the future of sanctions as a lever of pressure.
Relations with Tehran are becoming even more tense. For several days, French diplomacy has toughened its tone. Paris, which is demanding the return of three French hostages held in Iranian jails for more than two years, spoke for the first time “undignified conditions which, for some, fall within the definition of torture”. In the balance, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, now openly places “the future of sanctions” against Iran, in a context of resumption of discussions between the Islamic Republic, France, the United Kingdom and Germany regarding nuclear power.
The suicide, on January 9, of a Swiss national in Semnan prison, in the east of the country, further worried Western chancelleries. According to a diplomatic source, around fifteen hostages from around ten different countries are being held in Iranian jails.
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