Iran summons French envoy over FM's reaction to Jafar Panahi's Palme d'Or

Iran's Foreign Ministry on Sunday summoned the French embassy's chargé d'affaires to protest the remarks made by France's foreign minister in reaction to Iranian dissident filmmaker Jafar Panahi's win at the Cannes Film Festival.

"In a symbolic act of resistance against the Iranian regime's oppression, Jafar Panahi wins a Palme d'Or, reigniting hope for freedom fighters around the world," French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said on Saturday in a French post on his X account.

On Sunday, the Iranian Foreign Ministry's Director General for Western Europe Mohammad Tanhaei summoned the French envoy to convey Tehran’s strong protest against Barrot's statements.

"Tanhaei condemned his comments as a blatant interference in Iran’s internal affairs and labeled them as irresponsible and provocative," a Foreign Ministry statement said.

He also demanded an official explanation from the French Foreign Ministry.

Tanhaei criticized Paris for what he called the politicization of a cultural event, accusing the French government of misusing its role as host of a cinematic occasion to advance political agendas against Iran.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also called on French officials to "spare Iranians the lectures" on human rights.

"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. Spare us Iranians the lectures. You have no moral authority whatsoever," he said in a post on X.

The French foreign minister's comments came after Panahi used his speech at the Cannes to call for unity among Iranians worldwide in their struggle for freedom at home.

Panahi, who has faced imprisonment and a nearly 15-year travel ban for his outspoken criticism of the Islamic Republic, received a standing ovation as Cate Blanchett presented the award.

In his acceptance speech, he urged unity among Iranians striving for democracy: "Let's set aside our differences. The important thing now is the freedom of our country, so that no one would dare to tell us what to wear or what film to make."

Panahi's remarks have earned him widespread praise from political, civic and cultural figures around the world.