France Says Boosts Security Near Iran Embassy

The French Embassy in Tehran said the European country has taken some measures to increase security near the Iranian Embassy in Paris after it was attacked by a group affiliated to an anti-Iran militant group.

In a statement released Sunday, the France’s diplomatic mission said “following the Friday attack on the Iranian Embassy in Paris, French police acted on the same day and interrogated the 12 demonstrators who had gathered in front of the embassy building,” Tasnim News Agency reported.

Given France’s responsibility to protect diplomatic places, some measures have been taken with the approval of the Iranian Embassy to strengthen security of the building, according to the statement.

The statement came after Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi in Tehran on Saturday called on the French government to put the attackers on trial.

“Unfortunately, contrary to expectations, the French police were not present at the scene during the attack,” Qassemi said, adding that the issue is under investigation.

He said the French police took no action to protect the compound during the attack despite the claim that they were aware of the anticipated assault and had informed the embassy officials in advance.

After follow-ups and the presence of police, a number of assailants were arrested by the police, Qassemi said, calling on the relevant authorities to put the perpetrators on trial.

According to reports, a number of Komala elements hurled stones at the embassy, spray-painted graffiti, broke several windows and slightly damaged the building’s facade.

Komala is an Iraq-based banned group that has carried out several assassinations in western Iran since the Islamic Revolution in 1979.

The attack on the embassy came after the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps on September 8 launched a missile attack on a center in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region that was used for training anti-Iran elements and hosted a meeting of separatist leaders.

Komala had a role in the recent killing of Iranian soldiers at a border post in the western city of Marivan.