Iran summoned the French chargé d'affaires in Tehran on Sunday over "insulting" comments by France's foreign minister after an Iranian film's victory at the Cannes Film Festival, state media reported.
In a post on X after dissident filmmaker Jafar Panahi won the Palme d'Or on Saturday, Jean-Noël Barrot called his victory "a gesture of resistance against the Iranian regime's oppression".
Panahi, 64, was awarded the Palme d'Or for the political drama "It Was Just an Accident" – a film in which five Iranians confront a man they believe tortured them in prison.
Several actresses also appear in the film without veils, in violation of Iran's strict dress code for women.
"Following the insulting remarks and unfounded allegations by the French minister..., the charge d'affaires of that country in Tehran has been summoned to the ministry," state news agency IRNA reported on Sunday.
It said Iran condemns "the misuse by the French government" of the Cannes festival "to advance its political agenda against the Islamic Republic".