France accuses Israel of endangering French citizens held in Tehran’s prison

(MENAFN) France has strongly criticized Israel for its recent airstrike on Evin Prison in Tehran, expressing concerns that the attack endangered French citizens held there.

Iranian authorities reported damage to parts of the prison following the Monday strike. Social media footage appears to show that the prison’s main entrance was targeted.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot described the attack as “unacceptable” in a statement on X, highlighting the risk posed to French nationals Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris. Both were detained in Iran in 2022 on espionage charges, which they deny. Kohler’s sister, Noemie, called the strike “irresponsible,” stressing that it put prisoners in “mortal danger.”

Barrot said he had communicated with his Iranian counterpart and received assurances that Kohler and Paris were unharmed.

French President Emmanuel Macron stated that the strike “had nothing to do” with Israel’s declared aim of stopping Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

During a visit to Norway, Macron also condemned the U.S. airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities carried out on Sunday, calling them illegal under international law. “There is no legal basis for these strikes, even if France shares the objective of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons,” he said.

Following the U.S. attacks, Iran launched missile strikes on the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar on Monday. U.S. officials reported no casualties from the retaliation.

Later that evening, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire had been agreed upon between Israel and Iran. However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi denied any such agreement existed, stating that Tehran would only halt hostilities if Israel did so first.

MENAFN25062025000045017281ID1109722249