France Says Conditions of Citizens Held in Iran Unacceptable

French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot arrives for a state dinner hosted in honor of the Belgian Royals at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, 14 October 2024. EPA/TERESA SUAREZ
French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot arrives for a state dinner hosted in honor of the Belgian Royals at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, 14 October 2024. EPA/TERESA SUAREZ
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France Says Conditions of Citizens Held in Iran Unacceptable

French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot arrives for a state dinner hosted in honor of the Belgian Royals at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, 14 October 2024. EPA/TERESA SUAREZ
French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot arrives for a state dinner hosted in honor of the Belgian Royals at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, 14 October 2024. EPA/TERESA SUAREZ

France's foreign ministry said on Thursday the conditions that three of its nationals were being held hostage in by Iran were unacceptable, and that Paris continued to work to secure their immediate release.
Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot met the families of the three citizens on Thursday, deputy spokesperson Pascal Confavreux said in a statement, adding that they were being "held hostage."

In recent years, Iran's Revolutionary Guards have arrested dozens of dual nationals and foreigners, mostly on charges related to espionage and security.

Rights groups have accused Iran of trying to extract concessions from other countries through such arrests. Iran, which does not recognize dual nationality, denies taking prisoners to gain diplomatic leverage.



Bus Carrying Japanese Tourists Crashes in Türkiye, 22 Injured

This handout photograph taken and released by the Demiroren News Agency (DHA) on October 17, 2024, shows a tour bus after it overturned near Afyonkarahisar in western Türkiye. (Photo by Demiroren News AAgency / DHA (Demiroren News Agency) / AFP)
This handout photograph taken and released by the Demiroren News Agency (DHA) on October 17, 2024, shows a tour bus after it overturned near Afyonkarahisar in western Türkiye. (Photo by Demiroren News AAgency / DHA (Demiroren News Agency) / AFP)
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Bus Carrying Japanese Tourists Crashes in Türkiye, 22 Injured

This handout photograph taken and released by the Demiroren News Agency (DHA) on October 17, 2024, shows a tour bus after it overturned near Afyonkarahisar in western Türkiye. (Photo by Demiroren News AAgency / DHA (Demiroren News Agency) / AFP)
This handout photograph taken and released by the Demiroren News Agency (DHA) on October 17, 2024, shows a tour bus after it overturned near Afyonkarahisar in western Türkiye. (Photo by Demiroren News AAgency / DHA (Demiroren News Agency) / AFP)

A bus carrying Japanese tourists veered off a road and crashed into a ditch in Türkiye on Thursday, injuring 22 people on board, the state-run news agency reported.

The accident occurred on a highway in Afyonkarahisar province, about 250 kilometers southwest of Ankara, the Anadolu Agency reported.

The cause of the accident was not immediately known.

The injured passengers, including one who was in life-threatening condition, were taken to hospitals in Afyonkarahisar, the agency said.