The Iranian Intelligence Ministry on Saturday warned the French government against "illegal interference" in Iran's internal affairs.
In a statement on its website, the ministry said two French diplomats took part in a secret meeting in Tehran in July with suspects in a "major case involving foreign infiltration and interference."
Following an investigation, it said the diplomats had "extensive records of violations and behaviors in contradiction with Iran's domestic law and their diplomatic obligations."
The ministry stressed it will not allow foreign diplomats in Iran to engage in "illegal interventionist" actions, warning that any repeat of such conduct would draw "fitting" responses.
On July 20, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said two French embassy officials had been detained and mistreated in Tehran.
In a statement, he called the incident "shocking," adding he had warned Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi that it "cannot go without consequences."
Araghchi later protested in a phone call with Barrot, saying the two French diplomats' "unconventional" actions "contradicted diplomatic norms and were unacceptable."
Iran warns France against interference in internal affairs
Qatar on Saturday denied claims that it had detained Iranian pilots, describing the assertion as misleading amid ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalating regional tensions.
"We categorically deny the claims circulating regarding the detention of Iranian pilots and are surprised by these misleading statements at this particular time," Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari said in a post on social media platform X.
Al Ansari said contact had been established with the pilots concerned after they violated Qatari airspace and authorities confirmed the trajectory of the targeting.
"After following the rules of engagement and attempting to communicate with them without receiving a response, the necessary measures were taken to defend our territory in accordance with international law," he said, adding that the circumstances had been clarified at the time through official channels.
The spokesman said Qatari search and rescue teams subsequently conducted operations to search for the remains of the pilots. He added that Qatar had communicated with Iran to coordinate the handover of the remains of one pilot who was found.
An Iranian military commander said Saturday that Qatari forces captured three Iranian pilots whose fighter jets were shot down when returning from a military mission against a U.S. base in Qatar in March. The commander said a fourth pilot was killed.
On Feb 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities, killing the country's then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, military commanders and civilians. Iran responded with waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and U.S. bases and assets in the region.
The body of the slain Iranian pilot, Majid Kazemi, was returned to Iran and buried in the southern city of Shiraz in late July.
Qatar denies claims of detaining Iranian pilots
