Iran shuts down French language center in Tehran — Asharq Al-Awsat
Iranian authorities on Sunday announced the closure in Tehran of the French Language Center (CLF), linked to the French embassy. The judicial website Mizan reported that the center was closed on the basis of a decision by the Tehran prosecutor's office, describing its activities as allegedly illegal.
Iranian judiciary's position
As Asharq Al-Awsat reports, Iran's judiciary said that the center had operated for years under the guise of language teaching and had allegedly violated diplomatic conventions.
Iran's judiciary also claimed that the institution used its status as a language center to seek out members of the country's elite, build networks among them, and facilitate their departure from Iran. These claims represent the Iranian side's position.
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Tensions between Tehran and Paris
The French embassy did not immediately comment on the closure of the center. Relations between Tehran and Paris have remained tense in recent months.
Last month, France announced the expulsion of two Iranian diplomats in response to the brief detention and ban on staying in Iran imposed on two French representatives. Tehran then accused the French diplomats of interfering in the country's internal affairs.
