Iran: Tehran Confirms the Arrest of Frenchman Lennart Monterlos, Missing Since June 16


France – BFMTV, July 10, 2025

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed this Thursday, July 10, the arrest of Lennart Monterlos, a young Franco-German cyclist who had been missing since June 16.

“He was arrested for committing an offense, and an official notification regarding his situation has been sent to the French embassy,” Araghchi said in an interview with Le Monde.

For its part, the French Foreign Ministry stated that it is “in contact with Iranian authorities” and “in touch with the family.” The ministry added, “We reiterate our call for all French nationals not to travel to Iran.”

A “Worrying” Disappearance

Monterlos’s disappearance was deemed “worrying” by the French Foreign Ministry, “because Iran has a deliberate policy of taking Westerners hostage,” said Laurent Saint-Martin, Minister Delegate for French Nationals Abroad, on July 7 on RTL. His disappearance occurred amid the ongoing war between Iran and Israel, further deepening concerns in French diplomatic circles.

Lennart Monterlos had set off in August 2024 on an ambitious journey: to reach Japan by bicycle via Europe and Asia, covering over 35,000 kilometers. He saw this trip as a break before beginning his university studies.

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