PARIS (Reuters) -France summoned Iran’s ambassador on Friday to protest over the case of three of its citizens whose detention conditions the foreign ministry said were akin to torture.
The ministry described the French nationals as “hostages of the state of the Islamic republic of Iran”.
“Their situation is unbearable, with undignified detention conditions that, for some, constitute torture under international law,” it said, reiterating that French nationals are advised not to travel to Iran.
Officials in France have hardened their tone towards Iran in recent weeks over issues like Tehran’s nuclear programme, regional activities and the detention of European citizens. They say that conditions for progress on talks with Iran on bilateral or multilateral issues will be dependent on the release of the hostages.
Senior French, British and German diplomats will meet with their Iranian counterparts on Monday in Geneva to discuss bilateral issues and more notably the future of nuclear talks ahead of the return of Donald Trump to the White House on Jan. 20.
France’s foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Tuesday that the situation of three French citizens held in Iran was worsening.
In recent years, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have arrested dozens of foreigners and dual nationals, often on charges related to espionage and security. Rights groups have accused Iran of attempting to extract concessions from other countries through the arrests.
According to diplomatic sources, about 20 European citizens from 10 countries are being held in Iran.
(Reporting by GV De Clercq and John Irish; Editing by Makini Brice and Hugh Lawson)
