Paris: France has voiced grave concern over the unexplained disappearance of one of its citizens in Iran, who has been missing since mid-June, according to Laurent Saint-Martin, the minister in charge of French nationals abroad. Speaking on RTL Radio on Monday, Saint-Martin said the man’s vanishing is “deeply troubling,” especially given Iran’s well-documented track record of detaining Western nationals.
“We are in close contact with the family,” Saint-Martin confirmed, while stopping short of directly accusing Iranian authorities of detaining the man. He noted, however, that “Iran has a known and deliberate policy of hostage-taking when it comes to Western nationals.”
The missing individual, reportedly an 18-year-old dual citizen of France and Germany, was said to be on a cycling tour in the region. His disappearance occurred just days after Israeli airstrikes targeted sites within Iran, raising speculation about a potential political dimension to the case.
The disappearance comes against a backdrop of rising diplomatic tension between Tehran and Paris. A separate case involving two other French nationals, Jacques Paris and Cecile Kohler, has already strained bilateral relations. The pair, held for over three years, have been formally charged with espionage for Israel’s Mossad, a claim France categorically rejects. Authorities in Paris have repeatedly referred to their detention as a case of state-sponsored hostage-taking.
On Sunday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot held a call with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqchi, demanding the "immediate and unconditional release" of Paris and Kohler. Interestingly, no reference was made in the official statement to the missing teenager, though diplomatic sources suggest the matter is being pursued through back channels.
The family of Cecile Kohler has raised fresh concerns after learning that both Kohler and Paris were reportedly moved out of Tehran's notorious Evin prison, following an Israeli airstrike in the area. “We don’t know where they are now,” Kohler’s sister said, underscoring the anxiety and opacity surrounding the case.
Over the years, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have arrested numerous foreign and dual nationals, often on espionage or security-related charges. Western governments and human rights organizations consistently accuse Iran of detaining foreign nationals as leverage in international negotiations a charge Iran denies.
In a further escalation, France filed a case against Iran at the International Court of Justice in May, accusing Tehran of violating international obligations related to consular protection for its detained citizens. The move is seen as part of France’s broader strategy to exert legal and diplomatic pressure on Iran.
As for the missing cyclist, no official confirmation has been provided by Tehran regarding his status. The French government has reiterated its commitment to pursuing all channels to clarify the circumstances of his disappearance and to ensure his safety.
With tensions flaring and cases piling up, France’s diplomatic posture toward Iran appears to be hardening, especially as fears grow over the use of innocent citizens as pawns in geopolitical standoffs.