Iran summoned France’s ambassador in Tehran to the Foreign Ministry on Tuesday over the French government’s response to ongoing student protests, Iranian state broadcaster IRIB reported.
According to IRIB, the diplomatic summons was linked to what Iranian officials described as France’s violent response to demonstrations and alleged widespread human rights violations.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei also accused France of applying double standards toward protests. He pointed to France’s calls for restraint during protests in Iran earlier this year and contrasted them with the authorities’ response to demonstrations by high school students in France.
The student movement began in late September, with protesters raising concerns about staff shortages, overcrowded classrooms and poor school facilities. Demonstrations and school blockades have since expanded to several French cities.
Although the protests have largely remained peaceful, French authorities have reported incidents involving fires, property damage and attacks on police and school staff.
The diplomatic dispute comes amid wider tensions between Iran and France. On Monday, Iranian authorities executed two protesters over their alleged involvement in the deaths of police officers during nationwide anti-government demonstrations in January.
Those protests began on Dec. 28, 2025, following a sharp fall in the Iranian currency and worsening economic conditions. The demonstrations spread from Tehran to other parts of the country and eventually developed into broader opposition protests.
Violence intensified on Jan. 8 and 9, with clashes between protesters and security forces reported in several cities. Public buildings and police vehicles were also set on fire, while Iranian authorities imposed a nationwide internet blackout and disrupted mobile communications.
Iranian authorities and human rights organizations have reported hundreds of deaths and thousands of arrests, although their estimates vary considerably.
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