Iran releases two French nationals on humanitarian grounds, out of goodwill: Foreign Ministry

Iran says it has released two French citizens jailed in separate cases on humanitarian grounds and out of its goodwill.

The foreign individuals were jailed for charges of espionage, disseminating anti-government propaganda, and fanning unrest.

"Iran's Judiciary freed two French citizens, one of them also holds Irish nationality, as a sign of goodwill and in a humanitarian measure in line with relevant laws and regulations," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan'ani said on Friday.

He said the detained French citizens have been released in response to the French side's requests at various levels and the negotiations held between the two officials of the countries, including a phone conversation between Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his French counterpart Catherine Colonna earlier on Friday.

The individuals were jailed for charges of espionage, disseminating anti-government propaganda, and fanning unrest.

Earlier on Friday, France's President Emmanuel Macron announced the release of the two French citizens, Bernard Phelan and Benjamin Briere.

The French foreign minister also said Phelan, who also holds Irish nationality, and Briere were freed from their prison in the northeastern city of Mashhad and are "on their way to France".

French FM thanks Iran's humanitarian, trust-building move

In a phone call with her Iranian counterpart, the French foreign minister thanked Iran's humanitarian move to release the two detainees, describing it as an effective and confidence-building step in relations between Tehran and Paris.

Colonna said she held constructive talks with Amir-Abdollahian in Beijing early last month as she was accompanying President Macron during his state visit to China.

Iran, France agree to continue talks to overcome challenges: FM Amir-Abdollahian

The Iranian foreign minister says Tehran and Paris have a common stance that talks should be continued based on mutual respect to overcome the existing challenges.

Pointing to the French president's idea of greater strategic independence of Europe, Colonna said Paris believes constructive talks would be the best solution to the problems and welcomes the continuation of constructive negotiations with Tehran.

The top French diplomat expressed her country's grave concern over the ongoing developments in Gaza and noted that Paris is pursuing strategies to swiftly release tension and end military conflicts.

The Israeli regime has been staging back-to-back aerial assaults against the blockaded Palestinian enclave since Tuesday. Nearly 30 Palestinians have been killed as a result of the incessant aggression.

The fatalities include civilians as well as several commanders of the Islamic Jihad resistance movement.

In his phone call with the French foreign minister, Amir-Abdollahian pointed to deep-rooted historical and cultural relations between Tehran and Paris and hailed France's "positive" move to adopt a “realistic approach” to Iran.

He said practical efforts to implement President Macron's strategic independence would be considered an effective step in the contemporary evolving world.

The top Iranian diplomat condemned the Israeli regime's war crimes in Gaza and emphasized that the Palestinian resistance is firmly determined and ready to defend the Palestinian people's rights.

"The developments in Palestine are definitely not in favor of the belligerent rulers of the Zionist regime," Amir-Abdollahian pointed out.

The Iranian foreign minister further hailed great efforts by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) to safeguard national security and fight Takfiri terrorism in the region.

"Known as the guardian of the country’s security, the IRGC is our red line," he said.

He made the remarks after the Swedish Parliament on Wednesday voted in favor of designating the IRGC as a terrorist organization.

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