Ankara: Iran declared two French diplomats persona non grata and barred them from entering the country over alleged "illegal activities," the Foreign Ministry announced. The decision was made in response to actions that reportedly violated international law, particularly the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

According to Anadolu Agency, the two diplomats, who were stationed at the French Embassy in Tehran, were involved in activities deemed illegal by Iranian authorities. The Foreign Ministry's statement indicated that the Iranian government took action several weeks after these activities were discovered, noting that the French government had not taken preventative measures to stop such occurrences.

Iran's Intelligence Ministry reported on August 15 that the diplomats had been detained during a secret meeting as part of an investigation into national security concerns. Documents and materials found at the site allegedly pointed to an extensive plan to increase foreign influence within Iran, with some documents bearing the signature of a former French ambassador to Tehran.