Iran slams French 'interference' over detained academic

Iran accused France on Friday of "unacceptable interference" in its domestic affairs after it sought consular access to detained Franco-Iranian academic Fariba Adelkhah.

Iran does not recognise dual nationality and has rejected similar requests from other Western governments for consular access.

Adelkhah's case comes as France spearheads European efforts to broker a dialogue between Iranian leaders and US President Donald Trump.

"The foreign ministry considers the French government's move unacceptable and deems it an interference in our country's domestic affairs," ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said in a statement.

"Adelkhah is an Iranian national and she benefits from all the rights of an Iranian citizen.

"There is no basis for this interference by the French foreign ministry... not only does this step not help the case in any way but it risks complicating the judicial proceedings."