France advised, in an August 20 communication addressed to its diplomats and foreign ministry officials, to indefinitely postpone all non-essential travel to Iran, referring to a thwarted attack on a demonstration - held by a group of the Iranian opposition in exile near Paris in which Trump's lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, would also participate as a sign of Tehran's more aggressive position towards France - and the tightening of Tehran's attitude towards France.
The note, written by Maurice Gourdault-Montagne, secretary general of the foreign ministry, reports: "the behavior of the Iranian authorities suggests a stiffening of their position towards our country, as well as some of our allies"[...]"Given the known security risks ... all department officials, both from headquarters and overseas (overseas), are required to postpone any travel plans to Iran until further notice, except for urgent work.".
Any tightening in relations with France could have wider implications for Iran. France has been one of the strongest supporters of the bailout of the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and the Western powers that US President Donald Trump withdrew last May.
The Iranian economy has been harassed by the re-imposition of US sanctions that were lifted by the agreement. European countries, including France, have pledged to try to mitigate the economic blow, but so far, they have not been able to persuade their companies to challenge Washington and stay in Iran.
Total, the main French oil company, and its automobile groups PSA and Renault, fearful of the extraterritorial scope of Washington's sanctions, have predicted the exodus of European companies from Iran.
The note underlines how Paris' confidence in the Tehran government has failed. Relations between the two countries are increasingly strained, even as President Emmanuel Macron talks about preserving the nuclear deal.
Iran said it had nothing to do with the alleged thwarted attack at the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) meeting on June 30. French officials have not commented on the matter, but diplomatic sources said that if Iran's involvement is proven, it would be difficult for France not to react strongly.
Since withdrawing the nuclear deal, Trump has expressed readiness to negotiate a new deal while warning Tehran of the dire consequences it could face in the event of threats against the United States.
It was Macron who led the efforts to persuade Trump to abide by the agreement, arguing that it was the best means by which Western powers had to control Iran's nuclear activities.
Rouhani also called on the remaining signatories of the nuclear deal to step in to save him on Monday.
Macron reiterated France's commitment to keep the deal, but European leaders appeared powerless to prevent US sanctions from hitting Iran's economy.
The ministry's memorandum stressed that any staff member who went to Iran for personal reasons would not be protected by diplomatic immunity, even in possession of a diplomatic passport.