Colonna Calls on Iran to Immediately Release French Hostages

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna. AFP
French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna. AFP
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Colonna Calls on Iran to Immediately Release French Hostages

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna. AFP
French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna. AFP

Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna called on Tuesday for the immediate release by Iran of French “hostages” in the country.

During a brief exchange with her Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on the sidelines of an Iraq support summit taking place on the shores of the Dead Sea in Jordan, Colonna said she insisted on the respect of “civil and political rights” in Iran and the “non-interference” of Tehran in its neighborhood.

“I spoke to him briefly in the summit room to ask him again for the immediate release of the hostages who are being held by Iran and for full respect for international humanitarian law and international law in general,” she said.

“This means respecting its international obligations both in terms of civil and political rights (..) and non-interference in the affairs of others”, the French Minister underlined.  

In Paris, the support committees for Fariba Adelkhah and Benjamin Brière, currently detained in Iran, urged, in an open letter to French President Emmanuel Macron, coordinated action by European countries.

“It must be recognized that the (French) negotiation strategy pursued until now has not yielded any significant results,” the committees said in their letter.

According to the French authorities, seven French nationals are detained in Iran, including Cécile Kohler, a teacher and trade unionist, and her companion Jacques Paris.

In addition to this couple arrested in early May while sightseeing in Iran, there is Franco-Iranian researcher Fariba Adelkhah, arrested in June 2019 and then sentenced to five years in prison for undermining national security, as well as Benjamin Brière, arrested in May 2020 and sentenced to eight years and eight months in prison for espionage.

In their letter to Macron dated Monday, the support committees said they fear that the list will grow “since the capture of foreigners has become real public policy in Iran.”

The committees also asked the French President “to reconsider” the diplomatic strategy “to put an end to the ordeal of our relatives, our colleagues, our fellow citizens, and this barbaric policy of blackmail that Iran is practicing at the diplomatic level.”

“France’s European partners also have nationals taken hostage by the Tehran authorities. It is high time that Europe speaks with one voice and to insist that any form of dialogue and relationship with Iran is related to the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages,” the letter wrote.



International Reaction to Trump’s Inauguration

 US President Donald Trump speaks after being sworn in as the 47th President in the US Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025. (AFP)
US President Donald Trump speaks after being sworn in as the 47th President in the US Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025. (AFP)
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International Reaction to Trump’s Inauguration

 US President Donald Trump speaks after being sworn in as the 47th President in the US Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025. (AFP)
US President Donald Trump speaks after being sworn in as the 47th President in the US Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025. (AFP)

The following is reaction from global leaders to Donald Trump being sworn in as US president on Monday.

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY, UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT
"President Trump is always decisive, and the peace through strength policy he announced provides an opportunity to strengthen American leadership and achieve a long-term and just peace, which is the top priority."

RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN, PRESIDENT OF TÜRKIYE

"Since Mr. Trump repeatedly said he would end the Russia-Ukraine war, we as Türkiye will do whatever necessary in this regard. We need to resolve this issue as soon as possible. This issue will be on our agenda with our talks with Mr. Trump, and we would take our steps accordingly. I wish Mr. Trump's second term would bring good for all humanity."

JUSTIN TRUDEAU, CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER

"Congratulations, President Trump. Canada and the US have the world’s most successful economic partnership. We have the chance to work together again — to create more jobs and prosperity for both our nations."

KEIR STARMER, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER

"For centuries, the relationship between our two nations has been one of collaboration, cooperation and enduring partnership ... Together, we have defended the world from tyranny and worked towards our mutual security and prosperity."

"With President Trump's longstanding affection and historical ties to the United Kingdom, I know that depth of friendship will continue."

URSULA VON DER LEYEN, EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT

"Best wishes President @realDonaldTrump, for your tenure as 47th President of the United States. The EU looks forward to working closely with you to tackle global challenges. Together, our societies can achieve greater prosperity and strengthen their common security. This is the enduring strength of the transatlantic partnership."

MARK RUTTE, NATO SECRETARY GENERAL

"With President Trump back in office we will turbo-charge defense spending & production. My warm congratulations to @realDonaldTrump on his inauguration as 47th President of the USA, and to @JDVance as Vice President. Together we can achieve peace through strength - through @NATO."

CHARLES, BRITAIN’S KING:

The King has sent a personal message of congratulations to President Trump on his inauguration, reflecting on the enduring special relationship between the UK and US, according to Buckingham Palace.