French authorities detained a man on Friday who entered the Iranian consulate in Paris, falsely claiming to be armed with an explosive vest. The neighborhood around the consulate was temporarily closed off, and no explosives were found on the man or the premises.
Key Takeaways
- A 60-year-old man entered the Iranian consulate in Paris, claiming to have an explosive vest.
- No explosives or arms were found after the man surrendered to police.
- The suspect had a history of criminal activity targeting Iranian diplomatic missions in Paris.
- The incident led to heightened security measures in the area.
Incident Overview
On Friday, French police detained a 60-year-old man who entered the Iranian consulate in Paris, claiming to be armed with an explosive vest. The man, born in Iran in 1963, surrendered to police without incident, and no explosives or arms were found on him or the premises.
Security Measures
The neighborhood around the consulate in Paris’s 16th district was closed off, and a heavy police presence was established. Traffic on two metro lines passing near the consulate was temporarily suspended. The consulate called in law enforcement after a witness reported seeing a man carrying what appeared to be a grenade or an explosive belt.
Suspect’s Background
The suspect has a history of criminal activity targeting Iranian diplomatic missions in Paris. In 2023, he was convicted for setting fire to tires in front of the Iranian embassy. He was due to appear in court on Monday over the 2023 fire incident. The man had claimed his actions were in opposition to Iran’s clerical authorities amid the "Woman. Life. Freedom." protests.
Broader Context
The incident occurred amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, with Israel launching an apparent strike on central Iran overnight. However, there was no suggestion of any direct link between the two events. France had already raised its national security alert to the maximum level following an attack on a concert venue in Moscow in March, for which the Islamic State group claimed responsibility.
U.S. Embassy Alert
Following the incident, the U.S. embassy in Paris issued a security alert for American citizens, advising them to avoid the area and follow local authorities’ instructions.
The suspect, who left Iran after the 1979 Islamic revolution, has expressed sympathy towards the former imperial regime. He is appealing an eight-month suspended sentence and a two-year prohibition from entering the area around the consulate and carrying weapons.