ERBIL () — Iranian authorities on Sunday closed a French language centre affiliated with the French Embassy in Tehran, accusing it of conducting “illegal activities” in violation of diplomatic conventions.
The judiciary’s Mizan news website reported that, based on an order from the Tehran prosecutor’s office, the French Language Centre (CLF) was shut down after operating for years under the guise of providing language instruction.
Iranian authorities alleged that the centre had “abused its status as a language training facility” to identify and establish networks among members of Iran’s elite and facilitate their departure from the country.
The judiciary also accused the centre of carrying out activities that violated diplomatic conventions.
The French Embassy in Tehran had not immediately commented on the closure.
Relations between Iran and France have deteriorated in recent months. Last month, France announced the expulsion of two Iranian diplomats in response to Tehran’s brief detention and expulsion of two French envoys.
Iran had accused the French diplomats of “interference in Iran’s internal affairs.”
