Iran and France indicated on Monday that talks on the release of two French citizens held in Iran in exchange for an Iranian national detained by France were progressing.
Iran has been holding Cecile Kohler and her partner Jacques Paris since 2022. An 18-year-old French-German cyclist, Lennart Monterlos, is also being held in Iran after his arrest in June.
France has repeatedly accused Iran of holding Kohler and Paris arbitrarily, keeping them in conditions akin to torture in Tehran's Evin prison and not allowing proper consular protection. The Islamic Republic denies the accusations.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi suggested in mid-September the French nationals could be exchanged for Mahdieh Esfandiari, an Iranian student living in the French city of Lyon who was arrested this year over anti-Israel social media posts.
"The decision regarding the release of these two individuals and Mrs Esfandiari is currently being reviewed by the competent authorities," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei told a news conference on Monday.
"We hope that once the necessary procedures are completed, this will happen soon."
Outgoing French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told France Inter radio on Monday: "We have solid prospects of being able to bring them back in the coming weeks."
He added: "we remain fully mobilised and demand their immediate and unconditional release."
According to the semi-official Iranian news agency Tasnim, Iran acquitted French-German national Lennart Monterlos of espionage charges, the chief justice of the southern province of Hormozgan said on Monday.
France in September dropped its case before the International Court of Justice against Iran for violating the right to consular protection of its citizens, a move that signalled there had been progress in efforts to reach a deal.
The case at the ICJ or World Court was widely seen as a bid to pressure Iran over the detention of its citizens. Iran has accused the pair of spying for Israel's Mossad intelligence service.
The first half of the World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers Group VI match between Azerbaijan and France has concluded in Baku, with France leading 3–1...
Russia announced on Sunday that its forces had made significant advances in Ukraine’s southeastern Zaporizhzhia region, capturing two settlements as...
Türkiye has proposed jointly leading next year’s U.N. climate summit, COP31, alongside Australia in an effort to resolve a long-running standoff ov...
Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on Sunday proposed creating a new regional co-operation body, which he called the “Community of Central Asia”, ...
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated his firm opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state, saying his position has “n...
The first half of the World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers Group VI match between Azerbaijan and France has concluded in Baku, with France leading 3–1 after an eventful and fast-paced opening period.
Political violence in Armenia often emerges at critical junctures when peace has appeared possible. Next year’s parliamentary elections could test whether the country has finally broken that cycle.
Russia announced on Sunday that its forces had made significant advances in Ukraine’s southeastern Zaporizhzhia region, capturing two settlements as part of a broader offensive aimed at seizing full control of the area.
Türkiye has proposed jointly leading next year’s U.N. climate summit, COP31, alongside Australia in an effort to resolve a long-running standoff over who will host the event, Turkish diplomatic sources have confirmed.
Storm Claudia, which brought violent weather to Portugal, has resulted in the deaths of three people and left dozens injured, authorities reported on Saturday. Meanwhile, in Britain, rescue teams were organising evacuations due to heavy flooding in Wales and England.
U.S. President Donald Trump purchased at least $82 million in corporate and municipal bonds between late August and early October, including new investments in sectors benefiting from his policies, according to financial disclosures made public on Saturday.
Japan urged China on Saturday to take "appropriate measures" after Beijing issued a warning to its citizens against travelling to Japan, amid an ongoing dispute over Taiwan.
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev is taking part in the at the 7th Consultative Meeting of Central Asian leaders, which is being held in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed the importance of securing a humanitarian ceasefire in Sudan during a call on Friday with United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed.
The first half of the World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers Group VI match between Azerbaijan and France has concluded in Baku, with France leading 3–1 after an eventful and fast-paced opening period.
Russia announced on Sunday that its forces had made significant advances in Ukraine’s southeastern Zaporizhzhia region, capturing two settlements as part of a broader offensive aimed at seizing full control of the area.
Türkiye has proposed jointly leading next year’s U.N. climate summit, COP31, alongside Australia in an effort to resolve a long-running standoff over who will host the event, Turkish diplomatic sources have confirmed.
Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on Sunday proposed creating a new regional co-operation body, which he called the “Community of Central Asia”, aimed at strengthening economic integration across the region’s more than 80 million people.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated his firm opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state, saying his position has “not changed one bit” despite growing international pressure.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment