Two French citizens convicted of “spying for Israel” leave Iran

Kohler and Pari, who worked as teachers in Iran, were arrested in May 2022 and convicted of spying for Israel. Throughout the proceedings, France stated that the charges against them were unfounded and that they were taking hostages in order to achieve diplomatic concessions.

The French citizens spent three years in prison. In November 2025 they were released from Evin prison on bail. They were allowed to take refuge in the French embassy, ​​but were not allowed to leave Iran.

Iranian authorities confirmed that they were exchanged for a citizen of the Islamic Republic held in France. Channel France 24 notes that this became possible thanks to the position taken by official Paris regarding the war between the United States and Israel against Iran.