France has “no moral authority” on human rights, says Iran

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued a sharp rebuke to France on May 25, accusing Paris of lacking the moral authority to counsel Iranians on human rights matters.

The statement came in response to France’s stance on recent international developments, particularly its decision regarding the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrants for Israeli officials, Caliber.Az reports via Iranian media.

There have been many transgressions making a mockery of France's "human rights activism". But perhaps nothing has made the hypocrisy as stark as the French approach to the Israeli regime and its war crimes.

Spare us Iranians the lectures. You have no moral authority whatsoever. pic.twitter.com/1oly4Gcs6L

— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) May 25, 2025

In a post on his official X account, Araghchi asserted that France’s historical and ongoing actions undermine its credibility in advocating for human rights.

"There have been many transgressions making a mockery of France's 'human rights activism'. But perhaps nothing has made the hypocrisy as stark as the French approach to the Israeli regime and its war crimes.

Spare us Iranians the lectures. You have no moral authority whatsoever,” Araqchi wrote.

The Iranian diplomat’s remarks came alongside a screenshot of a news report detailing France’s refusal to enforce arrest warrants issued by the ICC for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. The two Israeli leaders are facing allegations of war crimes committed during the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip.

By Vafa Guliyeva