The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has firmly rejected the unfounded and untrue claims made in the French MFA’s statement regarding an educational institution affiliated with the French Embassy in Tehran.
“Elchi” reports that the Iranian MFA has issued a statement in this regard.
“The law enforcement agencies’ move to stop the illegal activities of an institution affiliated with the French Embassy in Tehran was carried out based on a court order, following the French Embassy’s persistent and long-term disregard for repeated warnings from Iranian authorities regarding the necessity for this center to obtain legal registration and a license for its operations over the past few years,” the statement highlighted.
It was noted that the provisions of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations regarding the privileges and immunities of embassies are clear: “The French Embassy must obtain the necessary legal licenses in accordance with the laws and regulations of the host country for the establishment and operation of centers and institutions engaged in cultural and educational activities.
It is in no way acceptable for the French Embassy to insist on disregarding the provisions of the Convention on Diplomatic Relations in Tehran and to expect an exemption from the laws and regulations of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
It should be recalled that the French MFA called the decision “unacceptable” and described it as an attack on the country’s cultural presence in Iran.