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.



Iranian Commander Repeats Threats to Israel

This picture shows projectiles being intercepted by Israel near the northern city of Baqa al-Gharbiya on October 1, 2024. (Photo by Ahmad GHARABLI / AFP)
This picture shows projectiles being intercepted by Israel near the northern city of Baqa al-Gharbiya on October 1, 2024. (Photo by Ahmad GHARABLI / AFP)
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Iranian Commander Repeats Threats to Israel

This picture shows projectiles being intercepted by Israel near the northern city of Baqa al-Gharbiya on October 1, 2024. (Photo by Ahmad GHARABLI / AFP)
This picture shows projectiles being intercepted by Israel near the northern city of Baqa al-Gharbiya on October 1, 2024. (Photo by Ahmad GHARABLI / AFP)

The chief of Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard threatened Israel on Thursday with more missile barrages if it strikes Iran.
“Do not repeat your mistake — if you misbehave, if you strike anything of ours either in the region or in Iran, we will again hit you painfully,” said Gen. Hossein Salami in a funeral ceremony for Iranian Guard commander Abbas Nilforoushan, who was killed alongside the head of the Hezbollah militant group in Beirut in September.
Salami said a missile barrage by Iran on Israel earlier in October in retaliation for killing Nasrallah and Nilforoushan was the “tiniest” action by Iran. He said an air defense battery deployed to Israel by the US will not prevent Iranian retaliation, The Associated Press said.
“We do know about your weakness, and you know too,” said Salami.
Earlier this month, Iran launched some 180 missiles at Israel in retaliation for the death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, killed in Iran in July, as well as Nilforoushan and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who were killed in Israel strikes on Beirut in September.
Iran is the main backer of Hezbollah and supports militant groups opposed to Israel across the region including Hamas.