Iran shuts down French research institute over ‘insulting’ cartoons of Ayatollah Khamenei
Charlie Hebdo
Iran has announced the closure of a French research institute in Tehran to protest against the cartoons of the Islamic republic’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei published by French weekly Charlie Hebdo.“The ministry is ending the activities of the French Institute for Research in Iran as a first step,” the Iranian foreign ministry said in a statement.Iran had earlier issued a warning to France after the controversial magazine published cartoons depicting Ayatollah Ali Khamenei which Tehran deemed insulting.
Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian took to Twitter to post a message where he cautioned of a decisive response.
"The insulting and indecent act of a French publication in publishing cartoons against the religious and political authority will not go without an effective and decisive response," he wrote.
"We will not allow the French government to step over its carpet. They have definitely chosen the wrong path. Earlier, we included this publication in the sanctions list," added the tweet.
)
'Not sure': Trump pours cold water on Ukraine's Patriot missile dream after Zelensky's claim
)
Alert for torrential rains across Jammu division; flash flood risk over next five days
)
Kiara Advani reveals why she chose Toxic, says character offered her 'all the meat an actor longs for'
)
3.6mn people track 24hr Qantas flight from Melbourne to Toulouse: Pilot shifts, fuel tank and other details
)
British Airways flight comes close to 'nosediving' over London
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
Lift accident? Maintenance, builders & makers are ALL liable now, rules Supreme Court: 3 major regulations | WION Decodes
)
Indian forces used pellet guns on Jul 20? SC hearing, police diary entry, MLC report and injured protesters' claims
)
Nearly Rs 29 crore cash, 15 kg gold found at ex-bus driver's house in West Bengal
)
India avoids higher US tariff, secures lower 10% rate. Here's how
)
WATCH: 'Absolute chaos' at Spain-Morocco border; thousands breach Ceuta, at least 9 killed
)
Shehzad Poonawalla, BJP's national spokesperson quits politics? Here's what sparked social media buzz
)
Russia-Ukraine war: Putin mobilises more troops for Ukraine's war decisive invasion
)
Karan Johar's The Traitors season 2 contestants: Rhea Chakraborty, Mallika Sherawat and Munawar Faruqui in the first batch
)
This Ramayana actor took ZERO fee from Rs 4000 crore film. Guess who?
)
'Living Nostradamus' warns of a new war, claims two of his 2026 predictions have come true
)
Trump to charge foreign students $100,000 for a shot at a US job? Here's why Indian students should be worried
)
Hosts India sweep Malaysia for double gold in men’s and women’s Commonwealth Table Tennis finals
)
NEET Protests riddled with misinformation? Delhi Police blocks 480 Pakistan-based handles spreading 'fake news' since Operation Sindoor
)
ED raids uncover ₹600 crore assets in Jharkhand illegal coal mining crackdown
)
Delhi Consumer Court fines Indian Railways Rs 25,000 for making RAC passengers share one blanket
)
Pakistan avalanche: Four bodies found as search for Nirmal Purja and 9 other climbers enters critical phase
)
Russia-Ukraine War: Zelensky fears 500,000 new Russian troops
)
Student denied admission to IIT Kanpur's cybersecurity program hacks websites to prove a point
)
Bizarre new material discovered in Hiroshima nuclear bombing debris | Gravitas
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
‘Italy will not...’: Meloni threatens Spain’s Schengen access after thousands enter Ceuta from Morocco
)
"Am I Worthy?" Ranbir Kapoor addresses backlash over playing Lord Ram in Ramayana: Part 1
)
Meta India head booked as cyber police crack down on 'obscene' morphed PM Modi videos
)
'We have special forces': Netanyahu warns against any ICC arrest attempt abroad
)
'I was almost trafficked in Paris,' says Australian woman, shares terrifying ordeal - 'I am on the black market'
)
ICC announces 12 host venues for 2027 ODI World Cup
)
Supreme Court grants divorce to Omar Abdullah after settlement with estranged wife Payal
)
Monsoon set to strengthen in August as India's rainfall deficit narrows to 14%: IMD
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
23ft python swallows man returning from party in Indonesia; family find body whole inside reptile
)
Commonwealth Games 2026 Day 9: India's full schedule, medal events and match timings
)
More than 100 Israeli soldiers walk out of base, chant slogans in an 'act of rebellion' | Watch
)
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke returns to Maharashtra, receives grand welcome in hometown
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New Friday OTT releases (July 31, 2026): The Vacation Principle, Rao Bahadur, Chum- Watch 6 new movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video and more
After the controversy snowballed, Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani informed that the French ambassador Nicolas Roche had been summoned in relation to the issue.
"France has no right to insult the sanctities of other Muslim countries and nations under the pretext of freedom of expression. Iran is waiting for the French government's explanation and compensatory action in condemning the unacceptable behaviour of the French publication."
The magazine based in France has been known for its satirical take on contemporary issues. Its office was targeted in an Islamist attack in 2015 by a gunman who was incensed after the publication of cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed.
Despite the pressure from Iran, the magazine refused to bow down and said it was an attempt to show the reality of the ongoing protests in Iran.
"It was a way to show our support for Iranian men and women who risk their lives to defend their freedom against the theocracy that has oppressed them since 1979," said Laurent Sourisseau, the publication's director.
WATCH |Iran: Nation continues to crackdown on anti-govt protesters, two teenagers face death penalty
It will be interesting to observe the reaction of the French government to the complaint registered by Iran. French President Emmanuel Macron, in the past, has batted for the freedom of the press saying the government has no business interfering in the business of newsrooms.
“It’s never the place of a president of the Republic to pass judgment on the editorial choice of a journalist or newsroom, never. Because we have freedom of the press," Macron said.
Read more: Iran marks third anniversary of Qassem Soleimani's killing, vows revenge
The weekly magazine had published a dozen cartoons that ridiculed high-ranking political leaders of Iran. The cartoons were part of a competition launched in December to show support to the protesters that have taken to the streets after the death of 22-year-old Kurdish-origin woman Mahsa Amini.
(With inputs from agencies)
WATCH WION LIVE HERE: