French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Cécile Kohler, 41, and Jacques Paris, 72, upon their return to Paris after nearly four years in detention in Iran.
The pair, both teachers, were arrested in May 2022 during what their families called a tourist visit. An Iranian court sentenced them to 17 and 20 years respectively for alleged espionage. They were released from Tehran’s Evin prison in November 2022 after a closed-door trial.
Their release came amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran, with former President Donald Trump issuing threats of airstrikes unless Iran reopened the Strait of Hormuz. Trump later suspended these threats.
The two were freed through diplomatic efforts involving Oman, and returned to France via Azerbaijan. Their case is part of a broader pattern of alleged hostage-taking by Iran to pressure Western nations.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot's office cited the tense regional climate as key to securing their freedom. The pair’s return was met with celebration by friends and supporters.