Two French nationals, Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, have been granted permission to leave Iran after spending over three years in detention. Their release was facilitated by Oman, as confirmed by French President Emmanuel Macron on April 7.
Macron announced their freedom via a post on social media, stating, “Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris are free and heading to France after three and a half years of captivity in Iran.” He expressed relief for their families and acknowledged the efforts of the Omani government, as well as the French officials and citizens who worked tirelessly for their release.
On March 16, Macron urged Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to expedite the return of Kohler and Paris to France. Kohler, a 41-year-old teacher, and Paris, a 72-year-old retired educator, were detained during a tourist visit in May 2022 on charges of espionage. In October 2025, an Iranian court sentenced Kohler to 20 years in prison and Paris to 17 years. Both were later moved from a Tehran prison to the French embassy but were not allowed to leave Iran.
In a separate context, on February 28, Israel launched an attack on Tehran, marking a significant escalation in tensions. U.S. President Donald Trump subsequently announced the initiation of a “major military operation” against Iran, aimed at addressing perceived threats from the Iranian regime. He accused Iran of supporting militant groups in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Palestine, and outlined objectives to dismantle Iran’s missile industry and naval capabilities.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) responded by launching missiles and drones towards Israel and targeting U.S. military bases in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Amid these developments, Macron called for an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council to address the escalating situation.
The European Union reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring regional security and stability in the Middle East. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also commented, suggesting that it is just to provide Iranians an opportunity to rid themselves of a “terrorist regime” and to ensure the safety of nations affected by Iranian attacks.
On February 28, Trump claimed that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei had died, a statement later confirmed by the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA). Following this, the IRGC announced the commencement of what it termed the “most destructive offensive operation in the history of the Islamic Republic” against Israel and U.S. military bases.
Trump warned Iran against pursuing these plans, threatening a “very strong response.” On March 2, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that the next phase of military operations against Iran would be even more devastating.
On March 6, Trump called for a complete change in Iran’s leadership, mentioning that he had several candidates in mind for a “good leader.” By March 8, the Iranian Assembly of Experts elected Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the deceased Supreme Leader, as the new Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic. Trump refrained from commenting on this election, stating only, “We’ll see what happens,” while previously suggesting that the new leader would not last long without U.S. approval.
On March 26, Trump announced a suspension of the destruction of Iranian energy facilities until April 6, citing a request from the Iranian government and ongoing negotiations. On April 7, he indicated that he had agreed to postpone bombings in Iran and delay a “devastating attack” for two weeks, contingent upon the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. He stated that the ceasefire would be mutual and that Iran’s ten-point proposal was an acceptable basis for negotiations.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi remarked that safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz within two weeks would be feasible “if coordinated with Iran’s armed forces and considering technical limitations.”
Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, detained in Iran for over three years, have been released and are returning to France. Their release follows diplomatic efforts by Oman and highlights ongoing tensions in the region amid military actions involving the U.S. and Israel.