2 minutes agoFrance calls on diplomats to avoid trips to Iran
Periskopi(8 years ago)
(8 years ago)France has told its diplomats and foreign ministry officials to push for an indefinite time all non-substantial trips to Iran, citing a bomb plot and a strengthening of Tehran's stance on France. The memo mentions a secret plot to bomb a gathering of [...]
Memo mentions a secret plot to bomb a rally held by an Iranian opposition group in the vicinity of Paris, attended by Trump's lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, as a sign of Tehran's most aggressive attitude towards France.
“The behaviour of Iranian authorities suggests a hardening of their position in front of our country, as well as to some of our allies”, Maurice Gourdault-Montagne, the ministry's secretary general, wrote in announcing August 20th.
In view of the known security risks, all department officials, whether from headquarters or offices (out of state), should push until further notice, except for urgent jobs, any travel plan to Iran”, Gourdault-Montagne added.
The French foreign ministry refused to comment on the memorandum or say whether embassy staff was asked to repatriate their families.
France has been one of the most powerful rescue lawyers of the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers, which US President Donald Trump withdrew in May.
Iran's economy has been affected by the prospect of re-establishing US sanctions, which had been removed from the agreement. European countries, including France, have pledged to try to ease the economic shock, but have been unable so far to convince their firms to challenge Washington and stay in Iran.
French oil and gas giant Total, as well as PSA car producers and Renault, have led an ecstasy of European companies from Iran, afraid of extending abroad Washington's sanctions.
