Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei made the announcement on Wednesday, saying that Tehran will continue to pursue the case of Esfandiari, a 39-year-old Iranian translator and university lecturer residing in Lyon, until her full freedom.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue its efforts until the complete release of this compatriot and her return home,” Baghaei said.
Esfandiari, who had lived in France for nearly eight years, mysteriously disappeared on March 1, 2025, prompting her family to alert Iranian authorities.
Subsequent consular follow-ups revealed that French police had arrested her.
Esfandiari’s detention was under the pretext of her activity on a pro-Palestine Telegram channel.
Her arrest drew sharp condemnation from the Iranian government. Tehran said it was politically motivated and a violation of free expression.
On Tuesday, Deputy Foreign Minister Vahid Jalalzadeh said Esfandiari had been put forward in a prisoner exchange arrangement with France.
Press TV