France – BFMTV, Oct. 06, 2025
Iran has stated that it “hopes” for the “upcoming” release of the French couple Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, which could take place soon “once the necessary procedures are completed,” along with the release of an Iranian national who was arrested in France.
On Monday, October 6, Iran said it hopes for the imminent release of a French couple detained in Tehran since 2022, in conjunction with the release of an Iranian national arrested in France. Cécile Kohler, 40, and Jacques Paris, 72, were arrested in Iran on May 7, 2022, the last day of a tourist trip. They are accused of espionage on behalf of Israel, a sworn enemy of the Iranian regime.
Iran has repeatedly requested the release of Mahdieh Esfandiari, an Iranian national arrested in France in February for, according to French authorities, promoting terrorism on social media. Tehran considers her detention unjust.
“The decision regarding the release of these two individuals and of Ms. Esfandiari is under review by the competent authorities,” said Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaïl Baghaï, without specifically naming Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris.
“We hope that once the necessary procedures are completed, this will happen soon,” the spokesperson added during a weekly press briefing in Tehran attended by AFP.
