France's Foreign Minister, Jean-Noel Barrot, has strongly criticized Iran for worsening conditions faced by three French citizens detained in the country, with some held in conditions described as akin to torture under international law. Barrot warned that the future of bilateral ties and the lifting of sanctions would depend on the release of the detainees, whom he referred to as "hostages."

Addressing a conference of French ambassadors, Barrot labeled the detentions as "unacceptable" and urged Iran to release the individuals, who have been unjustly held for years. He stressed that the issue is now directly tied to progress on other diplomatic matters.

This comes amid heightened tensions between France and Iran over Tehran's advancing nuclear program, regional activities, and accusations of state-sponsored hostage-taking. President Emmanuel Macron has described Iran as a "strategic and security challenge" for France and Europe, with the country nearing a critical point in its nuclear program.

Diplomatic sources confirmed no progress in negotiations regarding the detainees, while rights groups accuse Iran of using such arrests to extract concessions. Iran, however, denies such claims, asserting that it does not engage in diplomatic leverage through detentions.

Barrot's comments also followed the arrest of an Italian journalist on December 19, adding to the growing list of European nationals detained by Iran's Revolutionary Guards, who have targeted numerous dual nationals and foreigners in recent years on espionage and security charges.