By John Irish
PARIS, Jan 7 (Reuters) – The situation of three French citizens held in Iran is worsening with some being detained in conditions similar to torture, France’s foreign minister said on Tuesday, adding that future ties and any lifting of sanctions would depend on their fate.
French officials have toughened their language towards Iran in recent weeks, notably over the advancement of its nuclear programme and regional activities, but also the detention of European citizens in the country.
President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that Iran was “the main strategic and security challenge” for France and Europe, with Iran nearing the point of no-return on its nuclear programme.
“The situation of our compatriots held hostage in Iran is simply unacceptable; they have been unjustly detained for several years, in undignified conditions that, for some, fall within the definition of torture under international law,” Jean-Noel Barrot told a conference of French ambassadors.
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Diplomatic sources said there had been no progress in talks with Iran on its detention of French citizens and that Paris wanted to make it clear to Iran now that the issue was now directly linked to progress in other dossiers.
“I say to the Iranian authorities: our hostages must be released. Our bilateral relations and the future of sanctions depend on it,” Barrot, whose country has accused Iran of state-sponsored hostage taking, said.
In recent years, Iran‘s elite Revolutionary Guards have arrested dozens of dual nationals and foreigners, mostly on charges related to espionage and security.
Rights groups have accused Iran of trying to extract concessions from other countries through such arrests.
Iran, which does not recognise dual nationality, denies taking prisoners to gain diplomatic leverage.
Barrot’s comments also follow the arrest of an Italian journalist in Iran on Dec 19., the latest European national to be detained in the country.
The EU has imposed several sanctions on Iranian officials and entities and the restrictions form one lever that the bloc has in its talks with Tehran.
French, German and British diplomats are set to meet Iranian counterparts on Jan. 13, after a previous meeting in December.
They will discuss bilateral ties, but also the possibility of serious nuclear negotiations in coming months to defuse tensions with Tehran, with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump due to return to the White House on Jan. 20.
(Reporting by John Irish, Editing by William Maclean)
