Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei condemned what he called violent treatment of student protesters by French police, the Iranian Students' News Agency reported on October 2.

Baghaei said French officials, who describe Iranian security forces' action against what Tehran calls armed terrorists trained by Israel as a human rights violation, are themselves suppressing protests at the slightest provocation. The exchange adds to strained ties between Tehran and Paris: France summoned Iran's charge d'affaires on July 21 over the detention and alleged assault of two French embassy staff in Tehran.

Citing French media reports, Baghaei said police had detained more than 2,000 protesters and beaten them, and he called for an inquiry into allegations of severe violence by security forces. He also urged demonstrators to avoid violence, damage to public and private property and attacks on officers.

France 24 reported on October 1 that hundreds of students had been detained and dozens of officers injured in the school protests.