France Urges Citizens to Avoid Travel to Iran Amid Hostage Concerns, Nuclear Tensions

PARIS (AP)⁢ — France is advising its citizens against traveling to Iran, citing ongoing tensions and the risk of arbitrary detention. The warning, issued Wednesday, comes just weeks after the release of Olivier Rumondeau, who was held in Iran for 887 days.

Travel Advisory in Effect

The French Foreign Minister ⁣has called on all French nationals currently in Iran to return home, emphasizing the risk of arbitrary detention or being held hostage. The government’s travel details site, France Diplomatie, has advised against travel to Iran since October.

“Hostage Diplomacy”

French ‍officials have repeatedly condemned Iran’s practice of detaining foreign tourists,labeling it “hostage diplomacy.” the head of French diplomacy referred to Cécile Kohler ⁤and Jacques ⁢Paris, detained in May 2022 on⁢ espionage charges, as “state hostages.”⁢ Both are currently held in Evin Prison in Tehran.

Pressure on Iran

Cécile Kohler’s sister has twice addressed the Foreign Affairs Committee, raising concerns about ⁣the ⁣health and detention conditions of Kohler and‍ Paris. jean-Noël Barrot, confirmed France’s intention to file a complaint against Iran before the International Court of Justice.

“Faced with violations of the law of our ‍compatriots for consular protection, we are preparing a complaint against Iran before the International Court of Justice,” Barrot said. “To release them we will accentuate the ⁤pressure on the Iranian regime and adopt additional European sanctions against ⁢Iranian officials of state hostages.”

Iranian Nuclear Program

The French Minister⁣ also addressed the Iranian nuclear program.Discussions between Iran and the United States have reportedly begun. Relations between the two countries have been strained for decades. ‍The united States withdrew from the 2015⁣ international agreement in 2018, which provided sanctions relief in exchange for oversight of Iran’s nuclear activities.

“We note with interest the proclamation of discussions between Iran and the United States in a few⁤ days,” Barrot⁣ said. “The ⁤possibility window is narrow. We only have a few months before the⁣ expiration of the Iranian⁤ nuclear agreement concluded ten years ago,in the event of⁤ failure a military confrontation would appear almost inevitable.”

Barrot stated that Iran’s⁣ nuclear program threatens national security, reiterating France’s position that Iran should never possess nuclear weapons. He emphasized the need for a lasting and verifiable agreement regarding the Iranian nuclear program.