France blocks Iranian opposition rally over security concerns

French authorities have stopped an Iranian opposition group from holding a planned rally in Paris.

French authorities have stopped an Iranian opposition group from holding a planned rally in Paris, citing concerns over public safety and the possibility of unrest. The decision was announced just before the event was due to take place, prompting strong criticism from organisers who argued that the ban was unjustified and politically motivated.

The demonstration had been organised by the National Council of Resistance of Iran, a Paris based opposition movement that has held similar gatherings in France for many years. According to French police, the current national and international situation created a heightened security risk. Officials said there was a serious possibility that people with opposing political views could confront each other during the event, leading to disturbances that could threaten public order.

The timing of the decision attracted attention because it came only hours after French Foreign Minister Jean Noel Barrot spoke with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqchi. The two ministers discussed recent developments related to the conflict involving Iran. Following the ban, the opposition group suggested the decision may have been linked to the diplomatic conversation. France’s foreign ministry firmly rejected that claim, stating that the Iranian minister had neither mentioned the planned rally nor requested that it be cancelled.

The opposition group expressed disappointment with the move and insisted that all legal requirements had been fulfilled well before the event. Organisers said they had worked closely with French police for the past two months to ensure the rally could take place safely. They also claimed that around 100,000 people were expected to attend the gathering, which aimed to protest against political executions in Iran. According to the group, there was no valid reason to stop the event at the last moment.

Supporters also pointed out that previous demonstrations organised by the group in Paris had remained peaceful. A rally held in February 2025 concluded without any reports of violence or major security problems. They argued that the authorities had failed to provide convincing evidence that this year’s event posed a greater threat than earlier gatherings.

The National Council of Resistance of Iran is regarded as one of the most active Iranian opposition groups operating outside the country. It regularly attracts support from former political leaders and officials from Europe, the United States and the Middle East who are critical of the Iranian government. While its level of support inside Iran remains uncertain, it continues to be one of the few exile groups capable of organising large international events.

The organisation has often been criticised by the Iranian government, which has outlawed its activities inside the country and repeatedly called on foreign governments to restrict its operations. The group has now announced that it will challenge the French authorities’ decision through the courts. A similar ban imposed in 2023 was later overturned by a French court after judges ruled in favour of allowing the demonstration to proceed.

Despite concerns about possible protests, French officials have approved a separate music concert featuring several Israeli artists as part of Paris’s annual music festival. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Barrot stressed that France clearly distinguishes between the Iranian government and the Iranian people. He said ordinary Iranians have suffered the most from years of conflict and repression and announced plans to create a platform where Iranian artists living in exile can freely express themselves without political interference.