Trending Now - French Nationals Freed From Iranian Detention After 3.5 Years

WHO:

BBC News - Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, French nationals

Fox News - Emmanuel Macron, President of France

Fox News - Sheyda Rahbari, Iranian activist

Fox News - United Against Nuclear Iran, nonprofit organization

WHAT:

Fox News - Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris were released by Iran after "three and a half years of detention."

Fox News - Kohler and Paris were accused of being spies by Iranian state television.

Fox News - Macron stated, "Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris are free and on their way to French territory."

Fox News - France's foreign ministry described Kohler and Paris as "state hostages by the Islamic Republic of Iran."

Fox News - The pair were detained in May 2022.

WHERE:

BBC News - Iran

Fox News - French Embassy in Tehran

Fox News - Paris, France

WHEN:

Fox News - Kohler and Paris were arrested in May 2022.

Fox News - They were released on April 5th, 2026.

Fox News - A support rally was held on May 7th, 2025, marking their three-year detention.

Fox News - Macron held a press conference on July 10th, 2025.

WHY:

Fox News - France denounced the detention of Kohler and Paris as unjustified and unfounded.

Fox News - Iranian authorities accused them of seeking to stir up unrest.

HOW:

Fox News - Macron thanked the Omani authorities for their mediation efforts in securing the release of Kohler and Paris.

(UPDATED April 7, 2026 23:12 UTC)

Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, two French nationals, have been released by Iran after three and a half years of detention, with President Macron confirming they are now on their way to French territory. The pair were accused of being spies by Iranian state television and were detained in May 20th22, a situation France condemned as unjustified and unfounded. Macron expressed gratitude to the Omani authorities for their mediation efforts that helped secure their release on Sunday.