Several French intelligence agents were arrested in relation to protests in Iran, the country's Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi told state TV on Wednesday, as anti-government demonstrations persist throughout the country.
Tehran has accused Western foes of stoking nationwide protests ignited by the death of Iranian Kurdish young woman Mahsa Amini on Sept. 16 in the custody of the morality police.
"People of other nationalities were arrested in the riots, some of whom played a big role. There were elements from the French intelligence agency and they will be dealt with according to the law," Vahidi said, AFP reported.
France's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Last week, France's Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said a total of seven French nationals were detained in Iran.
Meanwhile, Australia's ambassador was summoned by Tehran over comments made by the Australian prime minister regarding Iran's internal developments.
"It seems that the prime minister of Australia has taken a wrong approach based on false information, which does not help the relations between the two countries," Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson : Nasser Kanaani said on Wednesday.
The country has summoned several foreign ambassadors over comments regarding protests made by their officials.
