Paris: France will expel two Iranian diplomats after accusing Iranian authorities of detaining and physically intimidating two members of the French embassy in Tehran during a July incident. Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said the expulsions would take place in the coming days, calling the episode intolerable and saying Paris had promised consequences.

French officials say the two embassy staff members were detained for several hours on July 19 while carrying out professional duties. Paris says their phones were taken, they were prevented from contacting the embassy and one diplomat was subjected to physical violence.

Barrot said France would remove two Iranian diplomats in response to what Paris considers a serious breach of diplomatic norms. France had earlier summoned Iran’s charge d’affaires in Paris to protest the treatment of its embassy personnel.

The French foreign minister has linked the dispute to France’s support for Iranian civil society, including artists, researchers and students. French officials maintain that the embassy employees were acting within a professional framework and reject claims that they were involved in improper activities.

Iran has disputed France’s account. Iranian officials said the two French embassy employees were questioned during a security investigation and transferred to diplomatic police after their identities were confirmed. Tehran has denied that the diplomats were mistreated.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei later said the two French staff members would not be allowed to return to Iran, accusing them of activities Tehran viewed as inconsistent with the Vienna Convention. France rejected the allegations.

The row comes at a sensitive point in bilateral ties. Paris has raised concerns over human rights and the treatment of civil society in Iran, while Tehran has accused Western governments of interfering in its internal affairs.

French officials argue that engagement with artists, students, researchers and civil society groups is legitimate diplomatic activity. Iranian authorities have taken a more restrictive view, especially during periods of domestic unrest and wider regional tension.

The planned expulsions show France moving from formal protest to direct diplomatic retaliation. Such expulsions are among the clearest measures governments can take without reducing or suspending diplomatic relations.

The decision could further complicate communication between Paris and Tehran as both sides trade accusations over diplomatic conduct and interference. France has not indicated that it plans to sever relations, but the expulsions underline the seriousness with which it views the July incident.