France's foreign ministry denies asking for ban of Iranian opposition rally

AL-MONITOR
Jun 19, 2026
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot speaks during a conference with Israeli and Palestinian civil society groups to support a two-state solution, in Paris, France June 12, 2026. Thibault Camus/Pool via REUTERS
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot speaks during a conference with Israeli and Palestinian civil society groups to support a two-state solution, in Paris, France June 12, 2026. Thibault Camus/Pool via REUTERS — Thibault Camus

PARIS, June 19 (Reuters) - France's foreign ministry denied on Friday that it had asked for the ban of an Iranian opposition rally that had been due to take place on Saturday in Paris.

The Paris-based NCRI said earlier in the day that the Paris police had banned their rally at the last minute and linked it to a call by France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqchi on Thursday.

"This allegation is false. The minister did not mention this protest or request its cancellation," the ministry said in a statement sent to Reuters.

(Reporting by John Irish, Editing by Dominique Vidalon)