France expands humanitarian visas for Iranians fleeing crackdown

Wednesday 11 February 2026 - 18:50

By: Dakir Madiha

France expands humanitarian visas for Iranians fleeing crackdown

France will increase the number of humanitarian visas granted to Iranians seeking asylum as Tehran intensifies its crackdown on nationwide protests, Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot told parliament on Wednesday.

Barrot said France would offer greater protection to political opponents and activists persecuted by the Iranian authorities. “We will increase our humanitarian visas for asylum purposes for those individuals whom we must protect,” he said, according to Reuters, signaling Paris’ intention to provide refuge to those targeted by the regime.

The move reflects France’s stated commitment to support the Iranian people “by all possible means,” Barrot added. Paris has aligned itself with other Western governments criticizing Iran’s handling of demonstrations that erupted in late December 2025 and quickly escalated into broader anti-government unrest.

The decision comes as Iranian authorities widen their campaign beyond street protesters to include reformist politicians, journalists and human rights advocates. On February 8 and 9, security forces arrested several prominent members of the Reformist Front coalition, including Secretary-General Azar Mansouri, former diplomat Mohsen Aminzadeh, former lawmaker Ebrahim Asgharzadeh and coalition spokesperson Javad Emam.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi was handed a new seven-and-a-half-year prison sentence on Saturday, her lawyer confirmed. The 53-year-old activist, who began a hunger strike on February 2 to protest her detention conditions, was convicted on charges including “assembly and collusion” and propaganda activities.

The Committee to Protect Journalists reported that at least six journalists have been detained since the protests began, among them Mehdi Mahmoudian and Vida Rabbani, who were arrested after signing a statement backing the demonstrations.

The protests, which began on December 28, 2025 over economic grievances, rapidly transformed into nationwide rallies against the government. Barrot previously described Tehran’s response as the most severe repression in Iran’s contemporary history.

The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said the crackdown has resulted in at least 6,842 deaths, including 146 children, and more than 42,000 arrests. Widespread internet shutdowns have hampered independent reporting.

On January 29, the European Union designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization and imposed sanctions on 15 officials and six entities over alleged human rights violations.

Barrot has repeatedly denounced Tehran’s actions. In January, he summoned Iran’s ambassador to protest what he called the unchecked use of state violence against peaceful demonstrators. On Wednesday, former French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal urged France to go further by spearheading an international coalition aimed at toppling Iran’s clerical leadership.