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.



Russia Tells Israel to Not Even Consider Attacking Iran Nuclear Facilities

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. Reuters file photo
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. Reuters file photo
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Russia Tells Israel to Not Even Consider Attacking Iran Nuclear Facilities

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. Reuters file photo
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. Reuters file photo

Russia is warning Israel to not even consider striking Iranian nuclear facilities, state news agency TASS quoted Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov as saying on Thursday.
After Iran's missile attack on Israel on Oct. 1, there has been speculation that Israel could strike Iran's nuclear facilities, as it has long threatened to do.

"We have repeatedly warned and continue to warn, to caution (Israel) against even hypothetically considering the possibility of a strike on (Iranian) nuclear facilities and nuclear infrastructure," Ryabkov was quoted by TASS as saying.

"This would be a catastrophic development and a complete negation of all existing principles in the area of ​​ensuring nuclear safety."

It was not clear in what form Moscow had conveyed such a message to Israel.
Israel and Western countries have long feared that Iran is developing a nuclear bomb under the cover of a civilian nuclear energy program, something Tehran denies.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement on Tuesday that Israel would listen to the United States, which has also cautioned against striking nuclear facilities in Iran, but would determine its actions according to its own national interest.
The statement was attached to a Washington Post article which said Netanyahu had told President Joe Biden's administration that Israel would strike Iranian military targets, not nuclear or oil targets.

Russian state media also quoted Ryabkov as saying that Moscow was in constant contact with Iran, irrespective of the level of tensions in the region.