Iranian authorities closed the French Language Centre (CLF) in Tehran on Sunday, September 20, 2026, accusing it of conducting 'illegal acts that violated diplomatic conventions.' The judiciary's Mizan news website reported the closure, citing the Tehran prosecutor's office. The centre, which had operated for years under the guise of language instruction, was accused of abusing its status as a language training facility and seeking to 'identify and build networks among the country's elite figures while facilitating their departure.'

France condemned the closure, with the French Foreign Ministry calling the move 'unjustifiable and unacceptable.' A French foreign ministry spokesman said Paris would 'take appropriate measures to respond.' The ministry also stated it would summon Iran's ambassador at the request of French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot. The French Foreign Ministry reiterated its stance that the closure was an 'attack on France’s cultural presence in Iran,' following the assault on two staff members of the French embassy last July.

Relations between Tehran and Paris have been strained in recent months. Last month, France expelled two Iranian diplomats in response to the brief arrest and banning of two French envoys to the Islamic republic. Tehran had accused the two French diplomats of 'interference in Iran's internal affairs.' The French Foreign Ministry's statement did not specify the nature of the 'illegal acts' attributed to the CLF, leaving the allegations unverified.

The closure of the CLF has raised questions about the extent of Iran's diplomatic tensions with France. While the Iranian judiciary provided the details of the closure, France has not yet released a formal statement detailing its response. The French Foreign Ministry's statement emphasized the need for 'appropriate measures,' but no specific actions have been outlined. The French embassy in Tehran has not issued a public statement, and no official response from the Iranian government has been provided beyond the judiciary's announcement.

The incident highlights the ongoing diplomatic friction between Iran and France. The closure of the CLF follows a pattern of mutual expulsions and accusations of interference. France's expulsion of Iranian diplomats in response to the arrest of its envoys has been met with Iranian accusations of meddling in internal affairs. The Iranian judiciary's allegations against the CLF remain unverified, and France has not provided evidence to counter the claims. The situation remains unresolved, with both sides maintaining their positions without further clarification.

What remains unknown is the exact nature of the 'illegal acts' that led to the closure of the CLF. The Iranian judiciary's claims have not been independently verified, and France has not provided a detailed response. The lack of transparency on both sides raises concerns about the potential for escalation. The closure of the CLF may have broader implications for diplomatic relations between Iran and France, but the full impact remains unclear without further developments.