France threatens response after Iran closes French language center

France has summoned Iran's ambassador and threatened "appropriate measures" in response to the closure of a French language center in Tehran, marking a new escalation in diplomatic tensions between the two nations. The French Foreign Ministry announced the move on Sunday, September 21, 2026, calling the shutdown an "unjustifiable and unacceptable" attack on its cultural presence. The Centre de Langue Française, affiliated with the French embassy, was sealed by Iranian authorities under a judicial order from the Tehran prosecutor's office. Iranian officials alleged the center operated without proper authorization and used language instruction as a cover for activities threatening Iranian culture and national security. These alleged activities included building networks among Iranian elites and facilitating the departure of skilled Iranians from the country. France has rejected these allegations, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pascal Confavreux linking the closure to a prior assault on two French embassy staff members in July. The ministry stated the shutdown would affect thousands of Iranians who take French courses at the center annually.