A day after the escalation of the diplomatic crisis between Tehran and Paris, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi protested what he described as "unconventional and contrary to diplomatic norms" actions by two French diplomats in Tehran, considering these behaviors "unacceptable."

Araghchi's remarks came a day after Paris announced that French diplomats in Iran were subjected to what it described as a "very serious intimidation act" by Iranian security forces. The French Foreign Ministry stated that the two French officials were targeted late last Sunday evening by Iranian officials, stressing that it was a "flagrant violation of diplomatic immunity," as they "were detained for several hours without justification, subjected to interrogation, and one of them was physically assaulted, before they could return to the French embassy."

No Iranian clarification has yet been issued regarding the reasons for the detention of the French diplomats.

However, Araghchi stated during his phone call with his French counterpart Jean-Noël Barrot that "respecting the laws of the host country and adhering to internationally recognized diplomatic principles and norms are essential conditions for the continued operation of foreign missions," calling on the French government to "take necessary measures to prevent the recurrence of such actions," according to Tasnim news agency.

In the same context, Iran International website quoted a source as saying that French authorities are considering reducing the number of staff at their embassy in Tehran following the detention of the diplomats, as they were taken to an unknown location, interrogated, and subjected to psychological pressure during detention.

Amid the crisis, the French Foreign Ministry on Tuesday summoned the chargé d'affaires of the Iranian embassy, stressing Paris's condemnation of "this deliberate and premeditated incident in the strongest possible terms," considering it "a flagrant violation of international law and the two Vienna conventions, which Iran has signed and which guarantee the protection of diplomatic personnel and form the basis of relations between states."

Furthermore, the French Foreign Ministry said it "expects the Iranian authorities to reveal the circumstances of this incident, punish those responsible, and ensure the security and safety of its establishments and personnel in accordance with its international obligations."

Strait of Hormuz Crisis

In another part of the call, Araghchi addressed the Strait of Hormuz crisis, considering that its closure is, in his words, a "direct result" of the United States' failure to comply with its commitments under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, and what he described as the escalatory measures taken by Washington.

He pointed out that the responsibility for the repercussions of this situation falls, from his country's perspective, on the party that reneged on agreements and continued to pursue unilateral policies, thereby jeopardizing the course of diplomacy and regional stability, according to his words.

It is worth noting that the current escalation in the war between the United States and Iran began on July 8, for the first time after the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Washington and Tehran.

US forces launched a series of strikes on Iranian territory, in response to an attack on a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. On the same day, US President Donald Trump announced the end of the truce with Iran. In turn, Tehran attacked facilities in several Gulf countries and Jordan.

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