France to Expel Two Iranian Diplomats Over Deliberate Assault on French Officials

PARIS, Aug 18: France will expel two Iranian diplomats in the coming days in response to what French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot described as the deliberate assault of two French diplomats on July 19.

Barrot announced the decision Tuesday, saying the incident was “scandalously and deliberately” carried out and warning previously that the alleged attack would have consequences.

“It is precisely because France stands alongside the Iranian people, supporting its artists, scientists and researchers, that two French diplomats were scandalously and deliberately assaulted on July 19,” Barrot wrote on X.

“I had announced that this intolerable act would have consequences. It has,” he added, confirming that two Iranian diplomats in France would be expelled.

Barrot also said the Iranian people were the “primary victims” of the current period of extreme tension in the Middle East, citing what he described as the “bloody repression” of protests in January 2026 as well as ongoing bombings.