France has ‘no moral authority’ to preach Iranians

TABNAK, May. 26 - Araqchi said that many violations have undermined France’s commitment to human rights advocacy.

News ID: 6454

Date: 26 May 2025 - 10:02

Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has urged France to stop advising Iranians, arguing that Paris lacks moral credibility in human rights’ issues.

In a post on his official X account late on Sunday,, Araqchi said, “There have been many transgressions making a mockery of ‘France’s human rights activism.’”

“But perhaps nothing has made the hypocrisy as stark as the French approach to the Israeli regime and its war crimes,” he added.

“Spare us Iranians the lectures,” he said. “You have no moral authority whatsoever.”

According to IRNA, Araqchi’s message included a screenshot from a piece of news on France’s decision not to enforce the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

Netanyahu and Gallant face arrest warrants for crimes committed against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned the French charge d’affaires in Tehran to formally protest “insulting and unfounded” remarks made by the French foreign minister after an Iranian film won an award at the Cannes Film Festival.

Mohammad Tanhaei, head of the Second Europe Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, conveyed Iran’s strong objections over French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot’s comments during a meeting with the French diplomat on Sunday.

Tanhaei denounced the comments as interference in Iran’s internal affairs, condemning them as irresponsible and provocative. He called for an official explanation from the French Foreign Ministry in response to Iran’s concerns.

Additionally, Tanhaei criticized the French government for using the Cannes Film Festival as a platform to advance its political agenda against Iran.

He argued that France, as a firm supporter of the Israeli regime, lacks the moral standing to make human rights claims or accuse other nations.

In response, the French charge d’affaires said that he would relay Iran’s concerns to his government.