Relations between France and Iran have deteriorated sharply after an Iranian court sentenced two French nationals to a combined 63 years in prison on espionage charges, a move Paris has condemned as unjustified. The verdict, delivered on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, marks a significant escalation in a case that has strained diplomatic ties for months.

Cécile Kohler and her partner, Jacques Paris, were convicted on charges of spying for France and assisting Israeli intelligence services, according to Iranian state-affiliated media. The trial was conducted behind closed doors, and the French government has vehemently disputed the legitimacy of the charges and the legal process.

The severe sentences came just days after what had appeared to be a potential thaw in consular tensions. On October 8, another detained European, French-German cyclist Lennart Monterlos, was acquitted of similar espionage charges and released by Iranian authorities. That brief moment of positive news was swiftly overshadowed by the harsh ruling against Kohler and Paris.

French officials have been working for months to secure the release of their citizens. The detentions have been a persistent point of friction, even as broader diplomatic discussions continue. In April 2025, France announced it was planning to file a complaint against Iran with the International Court of Justice, citing violations of international law over the prolonged detentions. French foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot publicly condemned the espionage charges back in July, demanding the "immediate and unconditional release" of the couple. The French government also issued a travel advisory in January, urging its citizens to avoid all travel to Iran.

This consular crisis unfolds against a complex backdrop of high-stakes international diplomacy, particularly concerning Iran's nuclear program. In September 2025, French president Emmanuel Macron met with his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, during the United Nations General Assembly. During their meeting, president Pezeshkian reportedly reiterated Iran's commitment to a peaceful nuclear program, while president Macron stressed the need to prevent regional escalation and resolve bilateral issues.

Historically, France and Iran have maintained diplomatic relations, with embassies in both Tehran and Paris. The French government's official policy encourages Iran to play a constructive role in the Middle East and adhere to international norms. However, the recent sentencing puts this diplomatic track under severe pressure, challenging the historically stable, if sometimes complex, relationship between the two nations.