France concerned by Iran arrests, does not confirm minister visit

PARIS – France is concerned by the number of victims and arrests in Iran, a foreign ministry spokesman said as the death toll from anti-government demonstrations rose, declining to confirm the French foreign minister would visit Tehran this week.

"The right to protest is a fundamental right," the spokesman said in a statement on Tuesday.

Asked if Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian maintained a planned visit to Tehran, the spokesman said he had no information on this at this stage.