ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Iran’s intelligence ministry on Saturday warned the French government against the “illegal and interventionist conduct” of its diplomats, threatening “appropriate action” if such behavior is repeated.

The warning came after the ministry gave a new account of a July incident where two French diplomats were detained for several hours by Iranian security forces, claiming they were found at a “secret meeting point” during an investigation into a “major case” involving foreign infiltration.

In July, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said that two officials from France’s embassy in Tehran were detained by Iranian security forces “without reason” and interrogated for several hours.

In a statement, the ministry warned that it has not permitted its diplomatic guests to “engage in illegal and interventionist conduct and that, should such behavior be repeated, it will take appropriate action against those responsible.”

It accused the French side of resorting to a “media uproar,” while investigations were underway against the two suspects, saying that the campaign was “aimed at preempting the investigation and covering up the confirmed violations.”

According to the statement, the diplomats had “extensive records of violations and conduct contrary to the country’s domestic laws,” adding that they were handed over “in the presence of diplomatic police, to the Iranian ambassador to France.”

In his earlier remarks, Barrot claimed that one of the diplomats was "assaulted" and described the incident as an "extremely serious" act of intimidation by Tehran.

In a phone call with his French counterpart, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the diplomats of “unconventional and unprofessional actions,” describing them as “unacceptable” and stating that they were not in accordance with the laws and regulations of the Islamic Republic.

The two French officials were reportedly overseeing programs supporting Iranian civil society, including artists and scientists.