Tehran closes French language center, Paris summons Iranian ambassador

Iranian authorities closed the French Language Center (CLF) associated with the French embassy in Tehran on Sunday, September 20, following an order from the capital’s prosecutor’s office. Paris condemned the move and announced the summoning of the Iranian ambassador to the Quai d’Orsay.

The Tehran prosecutor’s office accused the center of continuing its activities without the necessary permits despite several warnings. Iranian authorities also criticized it for activities they claim are contrary to national culture and security, including the establishment of networks and assistance in the departure of qualified Iranians. These allegations have not been publicly supported by detailed evidence.

The French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs denounced “the intrusion of Iranian security forces” into the center’s premises as well as its closure. It described this decision as “unjustifiable” and stated that it would penalize the thousands of Iranians who take courses offered by the center each year.

Jean-Noël Barrot, the French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, requested that the ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran be summoned. The Quai d’Orsay also indicated that France would take “appropriate measures” in response, without immediately specifying their nature.

The French Language Center had been operating in Tehran for over twenty years. It offered French courses, organized certification exams, and provided a media library for its users. Its closure thus impacts one of the main conduits of French cultural presence in Iran.

This latest crisis comes after several months of tensions between Paris and Tehran. On July 19, two agents of the French embassy in Iran were reportedly detained and assaulted, according to French authorities. Tehran rejected these accusations and cited a case of interference.

On August 18, France declared two agents of the Iranian embassy in Paris persona non grata in response to this incident. The Iranian ambassador had already been summoned to the Quai d’Orsay to be notified of this decision.