A French couple, Kohler and Paris, who were detained in Iran on espionage charges during a tourist trip in May 2022, returned to France after a complex negotiation. They left Iran on Tuesday and were received by President Macron, who characterized their release as the end of a “horrific ordeal.” Initially held in Tehran’s Evin Prison, they were later placed under house arrest at the French Embassy in November 2025.
Their release appears linked to a broader understanding between France and Iran, though both countries have refrained from labeling it as a direct exchange. Iran’s IRNA news agency reported their release was conditioned on France freeing Mahdiye Esfandiari, an Iranian student jailed in Lyon for glorifying terrorism. Esfandiari was released after serving nearly a year and appealing her conviction.
French officials have not disclosed the specific terms of the release, though French diplomatic sources suggest a quid pro quo relationship. The case is under scrutiny in France, especially as Macron’s government aims to distance itself from US-Israeli military actions in the region. While French officials insist they haven’t softened their stance on Iran, they continue to label Kohler and Paris as “state hostages,” a term that reflects concerns about Iran using detained individuals as leverage in geopolitical conflicts.
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